Rio Ferdinand has spoken for the first time since the announcement of him retiring from International football with England.
Ferdinand’s retirement announcement broke first thing on Wednesday morning. In a week where ‘retirement’ has been the word at Manchester United, it was hot on the lips again as they arrived at Old Trafford this evening.
Speaking with MUTV at the Player of the Year Awards said:
“It’s not an easy thing to do, retire from playing for your country.
“I’m as passionate as the next man and I always loved doing that. But there comes a time when your body tells you what to do. As much as I’ve been trying to steer away from that, my body was the telling factor.
“If I’m to remain fit and well and playing at the highest level, something had to give somewhere and international football was it.”
Hopefully Ferdinand will continue to have a few seasons left at Old Trafford.
One reply on “Ferdinand: It's not easy to retire from England”
Rio is clearly correct; time waits for no man at 34 years of age.
The manner also Rio has been treated during his England national team tenure, the captaincy issues as an example with John Terry make his calling it a day from the England team selection total sense.
It also allows in fairness Roy Hodgson to build for the tournaments in 2014 and 2016 with a new centre back pairing. Possibly Big Phil Jones and Chris Smalling looking to the future.
The most important part for United is to retain a player of Rio’s experience around the dressing room at United, particularly with Sir Alex departing to further maintain the United philosophy to be installed in the younger players.
Englands loss is United’s gain.
Didn’t Rio look very dapper in his silver bow tie this evening at the POTY awards.
He said ” I like a white shirt at black tie event, I thought I would wear a silver bow tie.
A pure comedian Rio.:)