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Rio Ferdinand Admits That Sergio Busquets Made Him Feel Like A ‘Conference Player’ In Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League Final Victory

Rio Ferdinand Admits That Sergio Busquets Made Him Feel Like A ‘Conference Player’ In Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League Final Victory

The former Manchester United defender sheds light on how good Sergio Busquets really is and how he abused the Manchester United defence.

Fergus Guiry

Fergus Guiry

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has explained how Sergio Busquets left him feeling like a "conference player" in their Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2011.

Rio Ferdinand has come forward as said that Sergio Busquets left him 'feeling like a conference player' in Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final triumph over Manchester United.

The Blaugrana midfielder was one of Spain's shining lights in the European Championship.

His opening half performance in the semi-final against Italy, reminded Ferdinand of the day he went up against Busquets at Wembley.

In his half-time analysis for BBC of the Euro 2020 semi-final, Ferdinand said: "It was here at Wembley, and we got abused in that game by Barcelona, they were brilliant".

"So your confidence is low and I was trying to get the ball back from him at a throw-in and he just said 'ah Ferdinand, Vidic, boom, boom, boom' [imitating long passes]. I felt like a conference player".

After the Spaniard's impressive first-half display against Italy, Ferdinand said: "He has bossed this game and he's a fabulous player to watch".

United struggled in the final against Barcelona on that day in 2011, two years after they lost to the Catalan club in the final in Rome.

Pedro fired Barcelona ahead only for Wayne Rooney to pull one back on the half-hour mark.

Lionel Messi then made it 2-1 before David Villa solidified the trophy triumph with a third goal.

Busquets has been a mainstay in the Barcelona midfield ever since 2008, making 629 appearances in the process.

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Topics: Sergio Busquets, UEFA, Rio Ferdinand, Champions League