Rio Ferdinand quotes

Rio Ferdinand is an English former professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. As a central figure for clubs like Manchester United and the England national team, he amassed numerous titles and accolades. He now works as a television pundit and is known for his contributions to sports media. Here are 23 of his quotes:

You are always flattered when big clubs are interested in you.

Rio Ferdinand

I've heard people say it looks as if I don't care and I've certainly read that, but the way I play is natural. I don't think I can change it. I know I'm working as hard as the next man, even if it doesn't always look that way.

Rio Ferdinand

Football is the most important thing in my life, but I do have a life outside football and this is one part. The TV, the music, the fashion - it all goes to make up Rio Ferdinand.

Rio Ferdinand

It was wicked meeting Nelson Mandela.

Rio Ferdinand

Nobody wants to be associated with failing to qualify for the World Cup finals. I cannot imagine the shame of it.

Rio Ferdinand

It hit me like a thunderbolt!

Rio Ferdinand

If any player has a bad game it's there in the back of your mind in the next game. There's always a hangover. It is like a wounded animal in a way, as you want to get out there as quick as possible and rectify it.

Rio Ferdinand

People think we don't give a toss about the game, but when I walked out of Windsor Park that night I felt lower than a snake's belly. The reality is still there.

Rio Ferdinand

If we had a starting XI that no one could argue about it wouldn't say a lot for English football. We'd probably be on a downward spiral. It's good that people have different ideas about who should play.

Rio Ferdinand

His temperament is always there to be questioned because he plays on the edge. That is just the way he plays.It is a cliche but if you took that edge away from Wayne he wouldn't be the same player and I would rather have the Wayne Rooney we have now.

Rio Ferdinand

If you come out with racist comments, then I believe you shouldn't be allowed to come to a football match. Don't be so narrow minded, you're bigger than that.

Rio Ferdinand

My name was out there in the public arena for people to make assumptions on why I missed a drugs test. That stigma is something that may never go away. I go out there and play for the fans and for my family and for myself and to have that taken away from me in such a way was disheartening and something that really did shock me. I'm man enough to admit that I did cry.

Rio Ferdinand

You want to come home from a tournament with a winner's medal. That's not the fans or the media putting us under pressure, that's the pressure we put ourselves under.

Rio Ferdinand

I want a new contract. I'm happy at United and I see my future here.

Rio Ferdinand

There is a huge responsibility on all of us to get England through. It would be one of the biggest disasters in sports history if we blew it and we must make sure it does not happen.

Rio Ferdinand

There is a hangover from a defeat like Denmark - ask any player about when they've had a bad game, it's still in there somewhere in the back of your mind.

Rio Ferdinand

Most professional players are their own biggest critics. Some of the things you read in the papers that strike you as bang out of order will already have been thought by the players themselves.

Rio Ferdinand

Four years ago maybe we thought we were inferior to Brazil, subconsciously we didn't see ourselves beating them. Now we believe in ourselves, we can be on the pitch with any team in the world and think we can win.

Rio Ferdinand

I didn't expect to be dropped by England.

Rio Ferdinand

I was disappointed it wasn't reported that I said Rio Ferdinand was the best defender in the world.

Rio Ferdinand