During a recent interview, Rio Ferdinand openly shared his thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decisions to join the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS), respectively.
Both Ronaldo, who is 38 years old, and Messi, aged 36, made waves when they opted to showcase their skills on different continents. In January, Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, while Messi chose Inter Miami in the USA this July.
It is interesting to note that Messi’s arrival in the United States was met with excitement and applause, particularly because he turned down offers from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and a potential return to Barcelona. On the other hand, Ronaldo faced criticism for his move to Saudi Arabia despite becoming the most-paid player in the world.
🎙️ Rio Ferdinand: “Look at how the media and people dealt with Messi going to America and Cristiano Ronaldo going to Saudi Arabia. When a player goes to America, you greet him, but when a player goes to Saudi, he is attacked. Do you want to tell me that America is a perfect… pic.twitter.com/sbaSa8RneQ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 10, 2023
Ferdinand never shies away from expressing opinions. He raised questions about how the media treats these two moves and also highlighted that both the USA and Saudi Arabia have their own challenges regarding issues such as rights.
He stated, “Look at how the media and people dealt with Messi going to America and Cristiano Ronaldo going to Saudi Arabia. When a player goes to America, you greet him, but when a player goes to Saudi, he is attacked. Do you want to tell me that America is a perfect country?”
The Manchester United icon went further by stating “If I had not retired 100%, I would go to Saudi Arabia without thinking and without a doubt. The USA? No, the Saudi Pro League is much better than MLS”.
Rio Ferdinand lauds John Stone’s defensive prowess over William Saliba
Rio Ferdinand has showered Arsenal defender William Saliba with praise following his impressive performance against Manchester City. However, Ferdinand believes Saliba still has a way to go to claim the title of the Premier League’s best centre-half.
Saliba played a crucial role in Arsenal’s victory against Manchester City, where they finally broke a 12-game losing streak. Although the decisive goal came from Gabriel Martinelli, Saliba’s composure in the heart of Arsenal’s defense did not go unnoticed.
🔴⚪️ | Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand had an interesting answer when asked to choose between William Saliba and Lisandro Martinez. 👀
“I’ll go with Saliba. I think Saliba could potentially be top, top, top.”
“But in this comparison, I also think you’re helped by the… pic.twitter.com/JRloUIb6Hj
— Punch Drunk Arsenal (@PunchDrunkAFC) October 5, 2023
Ferdinand emphasized how important Saliba’s contribution was, particularly in games with such high stakes. His ability to maintain composure both with and without the ball was emphasized. He also praised Saliba’s defensive performance, noting that he hadn’t been passed in eight games.
Do you agree with Rio Ferdinand? 🤔#Ferdinand #Stones #ManCity #PL pic.twitter.com/jdUkpWxFGm
— DR Sports (@drsportsmedia) October 10, 2023
Despite these honors, Ferdinand still thinks that Manchester City’s John Stones is the best center-back in the Premier League right now. The former Manchester United legend claims that Stone’s defensive prowess and poise have earned him this recognition.
“John Stones is the best center-half in the Premier League at the moment, added the Manchester United legend. ‘Defensively he was going back into the back four,” he stated.
Ferdinand also emphasized that Stones is a standout player because he brings a special dimension to his position. His flexibility and ability to contribute to different facets of the game have greatly improved Manchester City’s defense.