Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand met up for a chat recently, and Rio’s career change inevitably got a mention.
The former Manchester United teammates met at Ronaldo’s home in Madrid to reflect on the forward’s career and mark the release of his new Nike Mercurial boots.
Ferdinand, who last month announced his intention to compete in a professional boxing bout, spoke about Ronaldo’s decision to leave United for Real Madrid in 2009.
“I just thought in my mind I want to go there to show my level,” Ronaldo said about his ambition to play for Real.
“To show that I’m a different player and that’s what I did. I arrived and I had a fantastic first season and then I have improved every season.”
Ronaldo went on to win four Ballon d’Or titles and the Champions League three times at Madrid. The Portuguese forward had spent six years at Old Trafford, playing alongside Ferdinand, and went from inconsistent winger to powerhouse forward and the world player of the year.
“I will never forget the Red Devils. I learnt to be better and better, being around the best players in the world,” Ronaldo told his former teammate during the interview.
Then Rio asked Ronaldo about his ambitions for his post-playing career, and where does he see himself ten years from now. Ronaldo paused, contemplating the question, before taking the piss out of Rio’s decision to become a boxer.
“10 years? In 10 years it will be tough… Maybe I will be a boxer like you,” Ronaldo joked before laughing his head off.
He was definitely looking for a chance to use that joke, and Ferdinand took it well.
You can watch Rio’s chat with Ronaldo here:
