• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand stole souvenir from Vladimir Putin

Home> Football

Published 21:58 28 Jan 2023 GMT

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand stole souvenir from Vladimir Putin

The former centre-back visited the Russian president during the World Cup back in 2018 and made sure he got a memento of the day.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand once stole a souvenir from Vladimir Putin, swiping a spoon from the Russian President.

Footballers love a memento of a big match, that's why they often swap shirts with their opponent at the end of a game, especially if they've given them a hard time.

Sometimes players can even wait a couple of months to get a shirt from an opponent, although admittedly that doesn't happen too often.

Advert

But it did just a few days ago, when Olivier Giroud and Jason Cummings finally swapped tops, weeks after the pair had met at the World Cup.

It's unlikely that either Cummings or Giroud will make as much money from their shirt swap as former England star Steve Hodge made from grabbing Diego Maradona's shirt.

El Diego's top from the famous 'Hand of God' goal in 1986 earned Hodge a ludicrous £7.1 million last year, good job he hadn't lost it in all that time.

Advert

But anyone can get a shirt swap, probably only former United star Ferdinand has managed to swipe something from Putin, and lived to tell the tale, or at least have it told by Alex Scott.

The BBC pundit explained in her book, How (Not) To Be Strong, that her fellow 'Beeb' colleague had taken the item during the World Cup in 2018.

"As part of the FIFA Legends programme, Rio Ferdinand and I had been invited to the Kremlin to discuss the World Cup," she wrote.

"Rio made me laugh on the way out – he opened his hand to reveal he’d nicked a teaspoon as a memento."

Advert

Scott and Ferdinand were part of a delegation to meet Putin.
Alex Scott/Twitter

The former Arsenal right back explained that she didn't really feel comfortable at the meeting, adding, "I was the only woman in the room – which, behind the scenes, I think had caused some anger because of the politics involved in sitting with certain world leaders.

"But I was there to discuss football. I even learned a sentence in Russian, which I attempted and failed, but God loves a trier!

"The whole morning was utterly surreal. We snapped pictures with Putin, but I was scared to even eat the tea and cake in front of me in case I unwittingly broke some unspoken diplomatic convention."

Advert

Scott with the FA Cup. Image: Alamy
Scott with the FA Cup. Image: Alamy

Despite the discomfort she felt in the Kremlin, it certainly wasn't the worst experience during her trip to Russia for the World Cup, five years ago.

The former England Women's star also revealed that she was nearly kidnapped and was threatened with murder, by a taxi driver.

Fortunately she lived to tell the tale and continues to provide excellent insight on BBC Sport, and also presents the One Show from time to time.

Advert

It's fair to say Rio Ferdinand has better memories of Russia though.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, England, Rio Ferdinand, Alex Scott, Russia, Football World Cup

Ryan Sidle
Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

X

@Sidler28

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
11 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • 10 hours ago

    ITV forced to apologise TWICE on behalf of Tyson Fury after what he said live-on-air during Soccer Aid

    Fury was interviewed on-air at Old Trafford - with perhaps an expected result...

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Thomas Tuchel told to call up player to his next England squad as fans say already he's outgrown U21 side

    The England boss has been told to promote a talented U21 after his recent performances.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Jack Grealish ‘pranked’ into paying fan’s bill on holiday as TikTok goes viral

    The Man City star has been brutally pranked as his teammates prepare for the Club World Cup

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts from Real Madrid after signing contract with the club

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts following his transfer to Real Madrid.

    Football
  • Rio Ferdinand snubbed Duncan Ferguson when naming football hardman as toughest opponent at Man Utd
  • Rio Ferdinand reveals two Man Utd legends had to be 'pulled apart' and didn't speak for three months
  • Rio Ferdinand gave shock answer when naming his 'worst' team-mate in 12 years at Manchester United
  • Rio Ferdinand speaks out after Man Utd brutally axe Sir Alex Ferguson's contract