A Manchester United legend has revealed that he is the reason why Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't use the club WhatsApp chat.
During the early 2000s, United enjoyed a team made up of some of the best players in Premier League history.
Experienced stars like Roy Keane and Paul Scholes played alongside younger talents like Ronaldo and David Beckham, all under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Although none of them remain at the club, many of United's former players remain in touch in a WhatsApp chat.
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However, one of the top stars in the WhatsApp chat has revealed that his inclusion in the group chat is the reason why Ronaldo chooses not to use it.
Since he announced his retirement from professional football in May 2015, former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has remained a big name in football.
Alongside his work for various broadcasters as a pundit, the 46-year-old also hosts his own podcast on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents.
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In a recent interview with The Times, Ferdinand explained the preparation and research that he and his production team put in to recording the podcast, revealing that it has earned him a nickname with former teammate Ronaldo.
“It’s funny because Cristiano [Ronaldo] calls me a journalist now,” Ferdinand joked.
“He messaged me saying, ‘Now I can’t say too much in the United WhatsApp group, Rio’s in there. Rio the journalist!’ ”
Despite his hesitance to speak up in front of his former teammate, the ex-United striker has appeared on Ferdinand's podcast to address his time at Old Trafford and his future ambitions.
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Across their time at United, Ronaldo and Ferdinand made 221 appearances together and won several of the biggest trophies in football including both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Despite this, Ferdinand surprisingly snubbed Ronaldo when he was asked which of his former United teammates was the best finisher.
Speaking in October 2023, Ferdinand told Manutd.com: “Ruud for me. I think all the other strikers (he’s played with) would agree with that, as well.
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“Ole is up there, he was a thinking finisher. His finishes were always calm and he was great at instinctive things but I have to go with Ruud. He was clinical and the most ruthless finisher I’ve played with.”
Topics: Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Football, Premier League
Ben McCrum