“We’re both watching the same game” - Rio Ferdinand opens up on text message between him and Cristiano Ronaldo while watching football
Rio Ferdinand has opened up about the content of the text messages between him and Cristiano Ronaldo while watching football. The former Manchester United defender revealed that Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr, remains a rather staunch critic, which is portrayed in the texts.
Ferdinand decided to retire back in 2015, at the age of 36. However, Ronaldo has continued in professional football even at age 39, having scored his 900th and 901st career goals during international duty with Portugal.
While the duo were discussing on the legendary striker's UR Cristiano YouTube channel, Ferdinand spoke about their text messages, revealing (via Mirror):
“I just sit there and think: ‘Just relax now man, just chill.' You send me messages sometimes on text, we’re both watching the same game in different parts of the world, and you go: ‘What’s that, look at that – look at that, I could score more.’
“I’m like, bro, relax, you’ve done it all. You’ve done everything. But you’ve got an insatiable desire and obsession to just keep on like, proving people wrong like you said, or breaking new records.”
Cristiano Ronaldo responded by saying he still had motivation to keep going, and that motivation had to do with his children:
“In this period, the last few years I prove not to the people - I don’t care about what the people say. It’s more to show my kids. They are my inspiration. Because they are young, they see everything. Of course, It's myself first. I mean, I still love to play football. [They can say] ‘He's finished..’ they say whatever they want.”
The Portuguese legend have already returned to training in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr making preparations to face Al-Ahli later today (September 13). He will widely be expected to start the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he does not care about people telling him to retire
During his conversation with Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo also admitted that he sometimes comes across comments asking him to retire from the sport. However, he has made it clear that it does not bother him one bit.
Asked about seeing those comments, he responded (via Mirror):
“Sometimes, but to be honest, I’m 39 and a half, and I care less about [these comments]. Because, even when you do it good, they criticise you. But, criticism is part of your journey, you understand? So, I don’t care about that, even if I will win the Euros, I will continue, my hunger will maintain.”
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a remarkable 450 goals during his time at Real Madrid. Two stints at Manchester United saw him score 145 goals, while he scored 101 at Juventus, and five at Sporting CP, where his career started.
Currently, he has 62 goals with Al-Nassr and he will look to add to the number this season.