Rio Ferdinand Reveals Facing Ronaldo Gave Him Nightmares- “Before the Game, I’ve Been Going In My Bed, ‘Sh*t'”

The year is 2003. A raucous Old Trafford crowd rises to applaud a rival player who single-handedly sealed Manchester United’s fate with a hat-trick. Real Madrid legend Ronaldo Nazario a.k.a, R9 was the striker who saved his team that UEFA Champions League night. Among the United defenders, who couldn’t help but watch Ronaldo’s masterclass, was the veteran Rio Ferdinand. The ex-Manchester United ace has now recalled what it meant to lock horns with the ‘best striker’s best striker,’ R9.

Rio Ferdinand had faced the Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of the world during his storied stint. But none of them seem to have scared Ferdinand the way Ronaldo Nazario had.

How injured Ronaldo gave sleepless nights to Rio Ferdinand

In a recent episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE podcast, Ferdinand was reminded of facing an injured Ronaldo in the 2003 Champions League clash at Old Trafford. “It was me on my own. Just me against Ronaldo. One of the times I shuffled over, I got over, and my position was like I would take the same position again and say if you score from here, it’s a miracle. He [Ronaldo] beats me at the near post. R9 is the only player that I have played against, and before the game, I’ve been going in my bed, the night before, sh*t,” said Ferdinand.

Soon, the ex-England center-back and his co-hosts recalled how the world’s greatest defenders, such as Alessandro Nesta, Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram, and Paulo Maldini struggled to contain R9’s phenomenal attacks. They also recalled that Ferdinand’s ex-teammate and star striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy once said R9 was unstoppable even if he played with one leg. “He is the best striker’s best striker,” Ferdinand added. That Champions League night, David Beckham shared the stage with Ferdinand while United took R9’s beating. Years later, Beckham also recalled how the ‘Phenomeno’ left him flabbergasted.

David Beckham on R9’s hat-trick showdown

“Ronaldo destroyed us. Raúl was out with appendicitis, so the big man was up front on his own. The whole crowd got to their feet and gave the bloke the kind of ovation a United player would have got,” David Beckham said about facing the Brazilian Ronaldo. During that match, Beckham scored twice after coming off the bench. Besides Becks, Van Nistelrooy scored once and Madrid conceded an own goal. Hence, United won the match 4-3. But on aggregate, thanks to Madrid’s first-leg lead, Ronaldo and co. won the quarter-finals 6-5.

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From the second leg’s scoreline, it is evident the Red Devils could have avoided defeat. Perhaps Ferdinand could have upped the team’s defensive ante. But sometimes, the Ferdinands of the world fail, because the best of the best strikers come marching at them. What are your thoughts on Ronaldo’s blast from the past? Tell us in the comments below.

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