Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has boldly claimed that one legendary World Cup winner could have been the “best-ever” player in the sport’s longstanding history.
Rio Ferdinand, who is considered one of the Premier League’s best defenders, had an illustrious playing career at Old Trafford and hoovered up silverware at the club.
The 45-year-old footballer-turned-pundit lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League and two League Cups during his time at Manchester United.
Ferdinand was a key defensive figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams of the past and forged one of the league’s best partnerships ever with club legend Nemanja Vidic.
The ex-United centre-back shared the pitch at Old Trafford with a star-studded roster of players, including Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Roy Keane.
But Ferdinand also crossed paths with legendary former players like Zinedine Zidane and Brazil legend Ronaldo, as well as battling against the likes of Lionel Messi.
The United legend played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and even came up against him after his former teammate moved to Real Madrid.
Ferdinand previously weighed in on the so-called ‘GOAT’ debate in football and shared his feelings on both Barcelona icon Messi and United legend Ronaldo.
However, the former England international has now made a bold statement involving an iconic ex-player who was an absolute “madness” on the pitch.
Ferdinand’s ‘best-ever’ player claim
Speaking on his VIBE with FIVE show, Rio Ferdinand opened up about his admiration for Brazil legend Ronaldo on the pitch and how highly he still thinks of him.
The TNT Sports pundit crossed paths with the ‘Phenomenon’ on the pitch and witnessed first-hand Ronaldo score a famous hat-trick in the Champions League.
Ferdinand previously claimed that two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo could have won more Ballon d’Or awards than either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Three Lions star believes that the ex-Brazil striker would have been the “best ever” if his career was not curtailed by injuries.
“Let’s get something right, though, R9 was a madness,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“He’s one of the best… like, if he didn’t have the injuries, I’m saying best ever. R9 in my eyes.”
Ferdinand also opened up about his forthcoming interview with ex-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who shared stories from his experience with Ronaldo.
“Oh my days, what he [Mourinho] says about R9,” he continued.
“Oh, you’ve got to tune in for that alone. I was sitting there and the hairs on the back of my neck were going up.
“Probably his [Ronaldo] best-ever season at Barca and Mourinho was there with him.”
Ferdinand on R9’s snub of Cristiano
Ferdinand was told by one of his co-hosts that Brazilian Ronaldo had snubbed Real Madrid and United legend Cristiano off his list of top strikers.
“There’s beef there somewhere, you know,” he said in response.
“Same with Thierry [Henry]. Thierry is the same.
“I ain’t seen the R9 [list], the way he talks about Cristiano, but Thierry, the way Thierry… what was he [R9] saying? Top five what?
“Right, Cristiano has to be in there. It’s beef. It’s because [of] the name, innit. He’s saying ‘cause he took my name and he got bigger with my name.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
