Rio Ferdinand inducted into Premier League Corridor of Fame

The popularity clearly means so much to the 44-year-old Londoner, who has solid a post-playing profession as a much-respected voice on the sport.

“As a defender, I am not used to celebrating private glory,” he admitted. “We depart that to the midfielders and strikers! Whenever you begin your profession, you by no means dream of how effectively issues might prove.

“I keep in mind all these lengthy journeys on trains and tubes; all of the coaching, cleansing gamers’ boots and taking good care of the package. I keep in mind going again to my property and seeing my associates who had been all determined to know what it was like. It’s an excellent feeling to be recognised by my friends, in addition to the followers. To be inducted into the Premier League Corridor of Fame alongside such a excessive calibre of gamers and to have the ability to say that I achieved my dream is particular. The Premier League is the Holy Grail, and I simply can’t imagine I made it.

“The one factor I can consider [in terms of leaving a legacy], with out patting myself on the again an excessive amount of, could be the way in which I performed my place which was most likely one thing that set me aside. At the moment, a centre-half who’s comfy working out with the ball and taking the ball underneath stress, wasn’t actually what the place’s id was about however that was my id.

“You have a look at the gamers now, that’s an enormous a part of the way in which younger centre-backs play as a result of these are the calls for placed on gamers. I’d like to have performed at present.”

Congratulations to Rio from all people at United!