Former Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has today announced his retirement from football, just a few days after being released by Queens Park Rangers. The England international, who has been capped by his country 81 times, brings to an end a career spanning just under two decades.
In a statement Ferdinand thanked all his managers but offered special praise for Sir Alex Ferguson, describing the Scot, who he played under for 11 of his 12 seasons at Manchester United, as a genius. The same statement, as per BT Sport, read: “After 18 years as a professional footballer, I now feel it’s the right time for me to retire from the game that I love.
The 36-year-old spent 12 years at Old Trafford where he became one of the most highly-regarded centre-backs in the club’s history. He made 455 appearances, winning six Premier League titles, one European Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup and two League Cups, before leaving in 2014 to join Queens Park Rangers – his final professional club.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to news of the former England international’s retirement: