View source for Rio Ferdinand

{{Short description|English footballer (born 1978)}}
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{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rio Ferdinand<br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}}
| image = Web Summit 2015 - Dublin, Ireland - 22183056474 (cropped).jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Ferdinand in 2015
| full_name = Rio Gavin Ferdinand<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/squad-lists-february-2012.pdf |title=Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists |publisher=Premier League |page=23 |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=2 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227041058/http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/squad-lists-february-2012.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|11|7|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|6285|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Camberwell]], England
| height = <!-- PLEASE READ BEFORE EDITING HIS HEIGHT; NOTE THAT SEVERAL SOURCES ARE WRONG ABOUT HIS HEIGHT. PLEASE SEE TALK PAGE FOR THE DISCUSSION WHERE THIS HEIGHT WAS AGREED --> {{convert|1.89|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/rio-ferdinand|title=Player Profile: Rio Ferdinand|publisher=Premier League|access-date=31 July 2012|archive-date=4 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404013608/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/rio-ferdinand|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995
| youthclubs1 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| years1 = 1995–2000
| clubs1 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps1 = 127
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 1996–1997
| clubs2 = → [[AFC Bournemouth]] (loan)
| caps2 = 10
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2000–2002
| clubs3 = [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| caps3 = 54
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2002–2014
| clubs4 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps4 = 312
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2014–2015
| clubs5 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
| caps5 = 11
| goals5 = 0
| totalcaps = 514
| totalgoals = 11
| nationalyears1 = 1996–1997
| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-18 football team|England U18]]
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1997–2000
| nationalteam2 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1997–2011
| nationalteam3 = [[England national football team|England]]
| nationalcaps3 = 81
| nationalgoals3 = 3
}}
'''Rio Gavin Ferdinand''' (born 7 November 1978) is an English former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[centre-back]], and was a television pundit for [[TNT Sports (United Kingdom)|TNT Sports]], for ten years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Radhakrishnan |first=Manjusha |date=2025-08-22 |title=Rio Ferdinand swaps UK rain for Dubai’s sun, sand and safety |url=https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/why-manchester-united-icon-rio-ferdinand-relocated-to-dubai-with-family-inside-his-huge-lifestyle-change-1.500241623 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref> He played 81 times for the [[England national football team|England national team]] between 1997 and 2011, and was a member of three [[FIFA World Cup]] squads.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rio Ferdinand Profile, Statistics, News, Game Log |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7825&cc=5901 |work=ESPN Soccernet |date=15 November 1997 |access-date=19 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406204026/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7825&cc=5901 |archive-date=6 April 2010}}</ref> He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, regarded by many as one of England's greatest ever defenders.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9965384/Chelsea-v-Manchester-United-Rio-Ferdinand-vilified-as-his-pursuit-of-the-FA-Cup-goes-on.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9965384/Chelsea-v-Manchester-United-Rio-Ferdinand-vilified-as-his-pursuit-of-the-FA-Cup-goes-on.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Chelsea v Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand vilified as his pursuit of the FA Cup goes on|date=1 April 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-rio-ferdinand-most-unheralded-player-his-england-generation|title=Why is Rio Ferdinand the most unheralded player of his England generation?|work=FourFourTwo|date=4 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9870797/rio-ferdinand-retires-former-man-utd-defender-was-one-of-the-greats|title=Rio Ferdinand retires: Former Manchester Utd defender was one of the greats|publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Mark |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-100-best-premier-league-players-ever/4|title=Ranked! The 100 best Premier League players ever|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=25 March 2025|accessdate=25 March 2025}}</ref>

Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional [[Premier League]] debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the ''Hammer of the Year'' award the following season. He earned his first senior international cap in a match against [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] and he transferred to the club for a record-breaking fee of £18&nbsp;million. He spent two seasons at the club, becoming the [[captain (association football)|team captain]] in 2001, before he joined [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in July 2002 [[List of most expensive association football transfers|for around £30&nbsp;million, breaking the transfer fee record]] once more.

At Manchester United, he won the Premier League, his first major club honour, in a successful first season at the club. In September 2003, he missed a [[drugs test]] and was banned from football for eight months from January until September 2004, causing him to miss half a Premier League season, Manchester United's FA Cup triumph, and the [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]] international competition. Upon his return, he established himself in the Manchester United first team and received plaudits for his performances, featuring in the [[PFA Team of the Year]] four times in five years. More club success followed with another Premier League win in the [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07 season]] and a Premier League and [[UEFA Champions League]] double the following year. His career at United, in which he won six Premier League titles and 14 trophies,<ref name="manchestereveningnews.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rio-ferdinand-leaves-manchester-united-7110605|title=Rio Ferdinand career in numbers|first=Adam|last=Jupp|date=13 May 2014|access-date=8 July 2018}}</ref> ended when his contract expired in 2014, and he subsequently joined [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] where he played for just one season before being released from the club as a result of their relegation from the Premier League. He announced his retirement from professional football on 30 May 2015.

In September 2017, Ferdinand announced his intention to become a professional boxer, partly to help him cope with the death of his wife.<ref name=RioBoxing>{{Cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/rio-ferdinand-says-professional-boxing-13645947.amp|title=Rio Ferdinand says professional boxing career will help him cope with the loss of his wife|work=Manchester Evening News|date=19 September 2017}}</ref> His brother, [[Anton Ferdinand|Anton]], also a centre-back, played for clubs including West Ham and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. Former England international striker [[Les Ferdinand]] and former [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] midfielder [[Kane Ferdinand]] are his cousins. 

In 2025, Ferdinand, his wife Kate and family, relocated to [[Dubai]] citing better educational standards for his children and the quality of [[UAE]] lifestyle.<ref name=":0" />

==Early life==
===Formative years and education===
Rio Gavin Ferdinand was born on 7 November 1978 at [[King's College Hospital]] in [[Camberwell]] and grew up in [[Peckham]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ferdinand|first1=Rio|title=Rio: My Story|year=2007|orig-year=2006|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-1533-8|page=10}}</ref> He is the son of an [[Irish people|Irish]] mother, Janice Lavender, and an [[Afro-Saint Lucian]] father, Julian Ferdinand.<ref name=Jackson>{{cite news|first=Jamie|last=Jackson|title=His name is Rio|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/12/sport.obsmagspecial4|newspaper=The Observer |location=London|date=12 August 2007|access-date=5 November 2008}}</ref><ref name=StLucia>{{cite news|first=Helen |last=Parker |title=Caribbean property: Rio Ferdinand is ahead of the game |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/overseasproperty/3360841/Caribbean-property-Rio-Ferdinand-is-ahead-of-the-game.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=29 March 2008 |access-date=5 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327125749/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/overseasproperty/3360841/Caribbean-property-Rio-Ferdinand-is-ahead-of-the-game.html |archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref>

Ferdinand grew up in [[Peckham]] in a large family, his mother was one of six children and his father arrived in Britain with ten other family members.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/21/rio-ferdinand-my-family-values |title=Rio Ferdinand: My Family Values |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Wintle |first=Angela |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref> Both parents worked to support the family, his mother as a child carer and his father as a tailor. His parents never married and they separated when he was 14 years old. His father remained close, moving to a nearby estate, and took the kids to football training and to local parks.<ref name=Jackson/><ref name=Caspar/> Ferdinand attended Camelot Primary School.<ref name=Caspar>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/01/manchesterunited|title=A united front|last=Llewellyn Smith|first=Caspar|newspaper=The Observer|location=London |date=1 June 2008|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref><ref name=Jones>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2000/newsmakers/2057425.stm|title=Rio Ferdinand: The silver lining|last=Jones|first=Chris|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2002|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> At school, he focused on maths and revelled in the opportunity to perform before an audience during a school production of ''[[Bugsy Malone]]''.<ref name=Caspar/>

<blockquote>"I always as a kid wanted to do something different, I'd get bored very easily&nbsp;– even playing football or hanging around with my mates. So travelling away from home, meeting new people. ... I enjoyed it."<ref name=Caspar/></blockquote>

He chose to attend [[Blackheath Bluecoat Church of England School|Blackheath Bluecoat School]] to make new friends and settled in well, feeling his confidence growing.<ref name=Jackson/> His second year was marred by the death of a fellow pupil, [[Stephen Lawrence]], and the event demonstrated the ever-present threat of violence.<ref name=Jones/> Ferdinand enjoyed physical expression, taking part in not just football and gymnastics classes but drama, theatre and ballet too.<ref name=Caspar/> He was an able child: he represented [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]] in gymnastics at the [[London Youth Games]],<ref>{{cite news|title=London gymnastics team wins gold at the weekend|url=http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/9081346.London_gymnastics_team_wins_gold_at_the_weekend/?ref=mmpg|newspaper=Croydon Guardian|location=London|date=14 June 2011|access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> by age 10 he had been invited to train at the [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] academy, and at age 11 he won a scholarship to attend the [[Central School of Ballet]] in London.<ref name=Jackson/> Ferdinand attended the ballet classes, travelling to the city centre four days a week for four years.<ref name=Caspar/>

===Youth-team career===
Ferdinand's superior footballing abilities were evident even as a child: when he was 11 years old a youth coach, David Goodwin, remarked "I'm going to call you Pelé, son, I like the way you play."<ref name=Caspar/> Ferdinand was regularly playing in youth teams and at Eltham Town he played as an [[attacking midfielder]] but team scouts saw the young player had the physical potential to be a centre-back instead. Teams vied for the young footballer's services and during his youth he trained with [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] and Queens Park Rangers. Ferdinand was ever curious of different places and even travelled north to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]'s training ground, spending a good part of his school holidays in a bedsit just to be there.<ref name=Caspar/>

London team West Ham United was to be his footballing home, however, and he joined their [[youth system]] in 1992.<ref name=Jackson/> He signed his first [[Youth Training Scheme]] contract in January 1994 and played alongside players such as [[Frank Lampard]] at the academy.<ref name=Caspar/><ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Hytner|title=Old boys' reunion will not prevent Cole from taking care of business|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/19/championsleague.chelsea|newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 May 2008|access-date=6 November 2008}}</ref> Success pending at club level, international football also began for Ferdinand; at 16 he joined the England youth-team squad to compete in their age group's [[UEFA European Championship]], gaining his first experience of international competition.<ref name=Caspar/>

==Club career==
===West Ham United===
[[File:Anton and Rio Ferdinand with West Ham United.jpg|thumb|left|Rio and Anton Ferdinand playing in [[Tony Carr]]'s testimonial match in 2010.]]

Originally scouted by [[Frank Lampard Sr.|Frank Lampard]], Ferdinand progressed through the youth-team ranks, earning a professional contract and a place in the first-team squad in the process.<ref name=Caspar/> On 5 May 1996, he made his senior team debut, as he came on as a substitute for [[Tony Cottee]] in the Hammers' last game of the season, a 1–1 home draw against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]].<ref name=Caspar/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=260501|title=West Ham 1(0)&nbsp;– 1(0) Sheff Wed|access-date=22 April 2008|work=Soccerbase|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050521221256/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=260501|archive-date=21 May 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 1 February 1997, Ferdinand scored his first goal for West Ham, in his sixth appearance for the club, scoring in a 2–1 loss against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. In doing so, Ferndinand became the youngest player, aged 18 and 86 days, to score for West Ham in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3250314|title=The reasons why Rio Ferdinand joins Premier League Hall of Fame|publisher=Premier League|date=3 May 2023|access-date=12 May 2024}}</ref> During the summer of 1997, [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] made enquires about Ferdinand before they turned to [[Henning Berg]] after West Ham rejected any sale.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nixon|first=Alan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-berg-makes-pounds-5m-move-to-united-1245136.html|title=Berg makes £5m move to United|date=12 August 1997|access-date=3 July 2014|newspaper=The Independent |location=London}}</ref>

During the 1997–98 season, Ferdinand won the Hammer of the Year award at the young age of 19.<ref name=GUIDE>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/a-beginners-guide-to-rio-ferdinand-wvzvjvdml0x|title=A beginner's guide to Rio Ferdinand|last=Coffey|first=Charlie|newspaper=[[The Times]]|location=London |date=5 February 2010|access-date=26 July 2011}}</ref>

====AFC Bournemouth (loan)====
In November 1996, Ferdinand joined [[AFC Bournemouth]] on loan. He made his debut on 9 November in a 1–1 away draw against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]. He played 10 games for Bournemouth before returning to West Ham in January 1997.<ref name="96/97"/>

===Leeds United===
Ferdinand joined Premier League club [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] in November 2000 for £18&nbsp;million, then a British transfer record as well as becoming the world's most expensive defender.<ref name=GUIDE/> Despite an uncomfortable start to his career at [[Elland Road]], beginning with a 3–1 defeat at [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] on his debut,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/2993828/Leeds-refuse-to-blame-it-on-Rio.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/2993828/Leeds-refuse-to-blame-it-on-Rio.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Leeds refuse to blame it on Rio|last=Carroll|first=Jack|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=2 December 2000|access-date=26 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ferdinand settled well and became an integral part of the Leeds team that reached the semi-final stage of the [[UEFA Champions League]], scoring with a header in the quarter-final against Spain's [[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo La Coruña]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/1257903.stm|title=Spaniards humbled by Leeds|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 April 2001|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> Other highlights during his spell in Yorkshire included goals against Liverpool at [[Anfield]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1273915.stm|title=Leeds shock Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 April 2001|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> and a scoring return to Upton Park.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1285934.stm|title=Leeds see off hapless Hammers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 April 2001|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref>

The following season, in August 2001, he became the club [[captain (association football)|captain]] after replacing [[Lucas Radebe]] and turned in an impressive second campaign, despite Leeds' failure to break into the top three and secure qualification for the competition they had figured in so prominently during the previous season. During the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], rumours began circulating that the club were in dire financial trouble and that new manager [[Terry Venables]] would be forced to part with his star defender for a substantial amount of cash. Later that summer after Ferdinand's impressive World Cup for England, Leeds accepted a bid of £29.3&nbsp;million with possible performance related add-ons up to £33.3&nbsp;million due to their perilous financial position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2143600.stm|title=Man Utd seal Rio deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2002|access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> Years later, Rio admitted he sat in the office of Leeds chairman [[Peter Ridsdale]] for almost six hours to force the transfer through.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eNZVLwC0JDU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190909035641/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNZVLwC0JDU Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNZVLwC0JDU |title="I would've gone public!" Rio and Cole on player power |publisher=YouTube / BT Sport |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=14 August 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Manchester United===
====2002–2007====
[[File:R Ferdinand.jpg|thumb|upright|Ferdinand for Manchester United in 2008]]
On 22 July 2002, Ferdinand joined fellow Premier League side Manchester United on a five-year deal to become the most expensive British footballer in history at the time and the world's most expensive defender for a second time, a title he had lost in 2001 to [[Lilian Thuram]]. Ferdinand went on to win the Premier League title with Manchester United in his first season at the club. He collected a winner's medal in the [[2006 Football League Cup Final|2006 League Cup]], with runners-up medals in the [[2003 Football League Cup Final|2003 League Cup]] and the [[2005 FA Cup Final|2005 FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2140871.stm |title=Man Utd reach Rio deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 July 2002 |access-date=26 July 2011}}</ref>

In September 2003, he failed to attend a [[drug test]] scheduled to take place at United's Carrington training ground.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelso |first1=Paul |last2=Mackay |first2=Duncan |last3=Taylor |first3=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/oct/07/football.duncanmackay |title=England star Ferdinand in drugs test row |date=7 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Ferdinand had left after training to go shopping, only to remember and attempt to return, only to be told it was too late.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Mike |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3185724.stm |title=Key questions facing Ferdinand |date=13 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He later undertook the test and passed,<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Glenn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/ferdinand-faces-ban-for-missing-drug-test-90238.html |title=Ferdinand faces ban for missing drug test |date=10 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Independent}}</ref> and also later offered to have a hair follicle test,<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/19/sport.comment1 |title=Rio at a dead end clutching at hairs |date=19 March 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> but the FA turned down the offer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Brennan |title=FA turn down new Rio test |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fa-turn-down-new-rio-1098807 |work=Manchester Evening News |publisher=MEN Media |date=13 August 2004 |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> [[The Football Association]] (FA) Disciplinary Committee, chaired by [[Barry Bright]], imposed an eight-month ban from January 2004 at club and international level and a £50,000 fine, meaning he would miss the rest of the season and some of the next along with all of [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3333091.stm|title=Ferdinand banned for eight months|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 December 2003|access-date=26 August 2008}}</ref> United appealed against the verdict and sought to draw parallels to the case of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] player [[Christian Negouai]], who was fined £2,000 for missing a test.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodbody |first=John |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/negouai-precedent-may-help-ferdinand-fpzgkhf8q2t |title=Negouai precedent may help Ferdinand |date=9 October 2003 |access-date=16 March 2021 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the end, the original verdict was upheld.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3514462.stm |title=Ferdinand ban upheld |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=26 August 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In September, it was announced that he would make his return against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]];<ref>{{cite news |last=Plummer |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/11/newsstory.sport3 |title=Ferdinand lined up for Liverpool return |date=11 September 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Alex Ferguson praised his "assuredness and composure" as United won the match 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3666228.stm |title=Ferdinand delight on return |date=20 September 2004 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

In a fixture against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in May 2005, United supporters booed Ferdinand amidst his refusal to sign a new contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/02/match.charltonathletic |title=Ferdinand feels fans' fury |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Glenn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferdinand-feels-wrath-of-fans-as-united-put-pressure-on-arsenal-221355.html |title=Ferdinand feels wrath of fans as United put pressure on Arsenal |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Ferdinand still hadn't signed a new contract in July and faced pressure from Ferguson to sign it,<ref>{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Tom |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2341819/fergie-rio-must-sign-now |title=Fergie: Rio must sign now |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref> taking away his position as vice-captain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/14/newsstory.sport2 |title=Ferguson losing patience in Ferdinand contract saga |date=14 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Ferdinand was booed during several pre-season friendlies in July and August,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Jamie |last2=Johnson |first2=Simon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/21/newsstory.sport1 |title=Ferguson tells fans to back Ferdinand |date=21 July 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4744347.stm |title=Ferdinand faces abuse from fans |date=4 August 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> before finally signing a new four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4132562.stm |title=Ferdinand signs new Man Utd deal |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=16 March 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Ferdinand later reflected on the saga, saying how he used it as motivation to change the views of United's supporters from negative to positive.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/20/championsleague.manchesterunited10 |title=Ferdinand overcomes boos problem and warms to the cheers |date=20 May 2008 |access-date=16 March 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 14 December, in a game against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], Ferdinand scored his first goal for United, en route to a 4–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 4–0 Wigan |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4516926.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2005 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> He followed this later in the month with a powerfully headed goal against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 3–0 West Brom |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4537468.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2005 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> On 22 January 2006, Ferdinand scored a last minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 1–0 Liverpool |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4612230.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2006 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> In the corresponding fixture in the following season on 22 October, Ferdinand scored again in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 2–0 Liverpool |first=Caroline |last=Cheese |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6050692.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2006 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref>

Following impressive and consistent performances in the league, Rio Ferdinand was named in the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Premiership Team of the Season]], alongside seven of his Manchester United teammates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA award double |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=26 June 2008}}</ref>

====2007–2014====
[[File:Rio Juventus.jpg|thumb|Ferdinand with [[Olof Mellberg]] in a match against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in 2008]]

Ferdinand started the 2007–08 season well, he was part of a United defence that managed to keep six clean sheets in a row in the Premier League, before conceding an early goal to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] at [[Villa Park]] on 20 October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 1–4 Man utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7043000.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2007 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref> It was also during this game where Ferdinand scored his first goal of the season, which was United's third goal of that game, with a left foot strike which took a very strong deflection off one of Villa's defenders. Just three days later, Ferdinand scored his first European goal for United by opening the scoring against [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]], with a superb header. United dominated the game and won 4–2.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dynamo Kiev 2–4 Man Utd |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7054215.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2007 |access-date=10 May 2012}}</ref>

On 12 January 2008, Ferdinand bagged a rare Premier League goal in a 6–0 hammering of [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at Old Trafford. In their FA Cup quarter-final match against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on 8 March 2008 when Manchester United dominated, Ferdinand made a rare appearance as a goalkeeper, after [[Edwin van der Sar]] left the pitch with a groin injury and the replacement keeper, [[Tomasz Kuszczak]], was sent off after conceding a penalty. Despite diving the right way, he was unable to save [[Sulley Muntari]]'s spot kick, and Manchester United were eliminated from the [[FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7272806.stm|title=Man Utd 0–1 Portsmouth|date=8 March 2008|access-date=26 June 2008|website=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty}}</ref> On 6 April 2008, against Middlesbrough, Ferdinand limped out of the match due to a foot injury. He was rated doubtful whether he would face [[A.S. Roma]] in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on 9 April 2008. He would play the full 90 minutes, though he received three stitches at half-time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2296848/Roma-fail-to-cash-in-on-jittery-defence.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2296848/Roma-fail-to-cash-in-on-jittery-defence.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Roma fail to cash in on jittery defence|last=Smith|first=Alan|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=10 April 2008|access-date=26 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

After United's 2–1 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League in April 2008, Ferdinand swore at Chelsea stewards and tried to kick a wall in the tunnel, but instead kicked a female steward, Tracy Wray. Ferdinand claimed to have merely brushed her with his foot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298475/Rio-Ferdinand-apologises-over-steward-incident.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298475/Rio-Ferdinand-apologises-over-steward-incident.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Rio Ferdinand apologises over steward incident|last=Benammar|first=Emily|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=26 April 2008|access-date=19 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He said he had apologised and sent the steward some flowers. However, Wray showed the bruise on her leg to the media, and her husband claimed that Ferdinand had not apologised or sent flowers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1913804/Rio-Ferdinands-kick-victim-reveals-bruise-after-Chelsea-Manchester-United-match.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1913804/Rio-Ferdinands-kick-victim-reveals-bruise-after-Chelsea-Manchester-United-match.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Rio Ferdinand's kick victim reveals bruise|last=Bloxham|first=Andy|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=30 April 2008|access-date=19 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[File:Ferdinand Fabregas.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Ferdinand as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] during the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09 Champions League]] semi-final.]]

It was announced on 18 April 2008 that, along with [[Michael Carrick]] and [[Wes Brown]], Ferdinand had agreed to sign a new five-year contract, worth around £130,000 a week, that would keep him with United until 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ferdinand signs new Man Utd deal|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7354524.stm|website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2008|access-date=15 May 2008}}</ref> On 21 May 2008, Ferdinand captained Manchester United to a [[2008 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] victory versus Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2008/May/Report-MU-1-6-Chelsea-1-5.aspx|title=Report: MU 1 (6) Chelsea 1 (5)|publisher=Manchester United F.C.|date=21 May 2008|access-date=26 June 2008|last=Thompson|first=Gemma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030538/http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2008/May/Report-MU-1-6-Chelsea-1-5.aspx|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He accepted the trophy together with [[Ryan Giggs]], as Giggs was the on field captain for most of the matches during that season during [[Gary Neville]]'s absence due to injury.

In an interview with [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] he criticised FIFA's approach to tackling racism in football, stating that not enough was being done to punish those guilty of homophobic or racist abuse at matches. Regarding taunts aimed at [[Emile Heskey]] in England's 4–1 victory against Croatia in [[Zagreb]], Ferdinand remarked:<blockquote>"Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What's that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse...If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them. Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished."<ref>{{cite news|title=Ferdinand condemns Fifa on racism|website=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7659284.stm|access-date=8 October 2008}}</ref></blockquote>

Ferdinand had an injury plagued 2009–10 season, a number of back and knee injuries kept him on the sidelines for months. He returned to action on 28 January 2010, but was banned for four games after being found guilty of violent conduct for elbowing [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]'s [[Craig Fagan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/26/rio-ferdinand-fa-charge|last=Taylor|first=Daniel |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=19 July 2011|title=Rio Ferdinand charged by FA with violent conduct against Hull}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8481114.stm|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand gets four-game ban |website=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2010|access-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>

Due to a knee injury he suffered in the summer of 2010, which ruled him out of the World Cup for England, he missed all of pre-season, the Community Shield and the first four games of the [[2010–11 Premier League]] season. He returned to first-team football in the opening game of the Champions League group stage against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on 14 September. He captained the side and played the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw. He started the season opening game in August 2011, the [[2011 FA Community Shield]], where United found themselves 2–0 down at half time to city rivals Manchester City. Ferdinand was taken off after 45 minutes along with defensive partner [[Nemanja Vidić]] and replaced by [[Jonny Evans]] and [[Phil Jones (footballer, born 1992)|Phil Jones]] respectively. United went on to win the game 3–2 and Ferdinand claimed his fourth Community Shield medal of his career. Ferdinand started in the opening Premier League match of the season at West Bromwich Albion, a game United won 2–1, but he went off with a hamstring injury after 75 minutes. After the match, [[Alex Ferguson]] confirmed that Ferdinand would be out for six weeks. Ferdinand however recovered much quicker than initially diagnosed and returned to take a place on the bench two weeks later at Old Trafford in United's 8–2 demolition of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], although he did not play a part in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/19/2626680/nemanja-vidic-out-for-up-to-five-weeks-as-rio-ferdinand|title=Ferdinand returns much earlier than expected for Arsenal game|publisher=Goal.com|date=19 August 2011|access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> Ferdinand made his return to competitive action in a 1–1 draw against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] at the [[Britannia Stadium]].

[[File:Rio Ferdinand QPR.JPG|thumb|150px|Ferdinand with Queens Park Rangers, October 2014]]

On 9 December 2012, Ferdinand was struck and injured by a coin thrown from the home crowd during United's 3–2 [[Manchester derby|derby]] victory away from home against Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-20658846|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand hurt by thrown coin|work=BBC News|date=9 December 2012}}</ref>

On 5 March 2013, Ferdinand, unhappy with the referee [[Cüneyt Çakır]]'s decision to send off [[Nani (footballer)|Nani]] during a 2–1 Champions League defeat to [[Real Madrid]] at Old Trafford, clapped sarcastically in the referee's face after the game. He escaped any punishment from UEFA for the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9915138/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-escapes-Uefa-sanction-for-sarcastically-applauding-Turkish-referee-Cuneyt-Cakir.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9915138/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-escapes-Uefa-sanction-for-sarcastically-applauding-Turkish-referee-Cuneyt-Cakir.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand escapes Uefa sanction for sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=London |date=7 March 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 12 May 2013, Ferdinand scored the winner and final goal of the Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford in a 2–1 victory over [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]. After a corner was missed by everyone, the ball found its way to Ferdinand at the back post and he hit it on the volley to seal the win. On 23 May 2013, it was announced that Ferdinand had secured a new one-year contract that would see him stay with the club until the end of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22582699|title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand earns new contract|date=23 May 2013}}</ref> He was not offered an extension when that contract expired, and agreed to leave Manchester United on 12 May 2014. In a letter on his official website, he said "I am feeling fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to whatever the future holds for me."<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand: Defender to leave Manchester United in summer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27386066|access-date=12 May 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2014}}</ref>

===Queens Park Rangers===
On 17 July 2014, Ferdinand signed for newly promoted Premier League club [[Queens Park Rangers]] on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28317707|title=Rio Ferdinand: QPR sign ex-Man Utd and England defender|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2014|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> He returned to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving Manchester United on 14 September 2014 to face his former club in the Premier League in which his side was beaten 4–0.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Henson|first1=Mike|title=Man Utd 4–0 QPR|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29098240|access-date=18 September 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2014}}</ref>

In October 2014, Ferdinand confirmed in an interview on ''[[The Jonathan Ross Show]]'' that he would retire at the end of the season, saying "I'm not fearful of retirement, I'm looking forward to it, I can see some good stuff hopefully happening ahead".<ref>{{cite news|title=Premier League: Ex-England and Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand plans to retire|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9531991/premier-league-ex-england-and-manchester-united-captain-rio-ferdinand-plans-to-retire|access-date=24 October 2014|publisher=Sky Sports|date=24 October 2014}}</ref> In May 2015, following their relegation, Queens Park Rangers announced the release of Ferdinand in the summer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32904955|title=Rio Ferdinand and Joey Barton among six to leave QPR|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> He made only 12 appearances for QPR in his only season with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/11633694/Joey-Barton-and-Rio-Ferdinand-released-on-free-transfers-by-QPR.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/11633694/Joey-Barton-and-Rio-Ferdinand-released-on-free-transfers-by-QPR.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Joey Barton and Rio Ferdinand released on free transfers by QPR|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=27 May 2015|access-date=28 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 30 May 2015, Ferdinand announced his retirement from professional football, three days after his departure from QPR.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.bt.com/sport-football/football/rio-ferdinand-announces-retirement-from-football-S11363983663561|title=Rio Ferdinand announces retirement from football|publisher=BT Sport|date=30 May 2015|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9869696/rio-ferdinand-announces-his-retirement-from-football|title=Rio Ferdinand announces his retirement from football|publisher=Sky Sports|date=30 May 2015|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:England team.jpg|thumb|right|Ferdinand ''(wearing No.5)'' lining up for [[England national football team|England]] against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]].]]

Ferdinand was [[Cap (sport)|capped]] 81 times for England, making him England's second [[England national football team#Most capped players|most capped]] black player behind [[Ashley Cole]] with 107.<ref>{{cite web |title=England's 81 BME players |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamBlack/PlyrsBlckMtchUsage/PlyrsBlackMostCapped.html |work=England Football Online |publisher=Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young |date=8 October 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> Although Ferdinand was named in four consecutive England World Cup squads (albeit without playing in 1998 and missing 2010 through injury), he never went to a European Championship due to a ban for missing a drugs test and due to England's failure to qualify for [[UEFA Euro 2008]].

Ferdinand scored three goals for England,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/rferdinand-intl.html |title=Rio Gavin Ferdinand – International Appearances |first=Matthias |last=Arnhold |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=3 December 2015 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation }}</ref> the first in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup#Round of 16|2002 World Cup second round]] match against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] (although some sources credit this goal as a [[Thomas Sørensen]] [[own goal]]).<ref>Freddi, Cris. ''The Complete Book of the World Cup 2006''.</ref> The second was a near-post strike that beat the Russian goalkeeper [[Vyacheslav Malafeev]] in England's [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|Euro 2008 qualifier]] against [[Russia national football team|Russia]] on 12 September 2007 at Wembley Stadium. The third on 11 October 2008 in a [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] qualifying match at home to [[Kazakhstan national football team|Kazakhstan]]. England won 5–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7656615.stm |title=England 5–1 Kazakhstan |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 May 2015}}</ref>

At the age of 19 years and 8 days, Ferdinand earned his first full [[England national football team|England]] cap as a substitute in a friendly against [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] on 15 November 1997, making him the youngest defender to play for England at the time (a record broken in 2006 by [[Micah Richards]]). Ferdinand would have made an even earlier debut in September had he not been charged with drink-driving in the build-up to England's [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|1998 World Cup qualifier]] against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]]. Ferdinand was named in the squad for this game and was a likely starter; however, the public mourning for [[Princess Diana]]&nbsp;– whose chauffeur had been suspected of drink-driving&nbsp;– left [[Glenn Hoddle]] with little choice but to drop the teenager from the squad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dark side of Rio Ferdinand |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/dark-side-of-rio-ferdinand-6965579.html |website=Evening Standard |language=en |date=7 October 2003}}</ref> After an impressive [[1997–98 West Ham United F.C. season|1997–98 season]] he was selected for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] squad as a back-up defender. However, he was not selected in [[Kevin Keegan]]'s 22-man squad for [[UEFA Euro 2000]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6180424,00.html |title=Ferdinand reveals Euro woe |publisher=Sky Sports |date=30 May 2010 |access-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602070210/http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0%2C27032%2C12098_6180424%2C00.html |archive-date=2 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/772145.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031030556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/772145.stm |archive-date=31 October 2019 |title=Keegan names Euro 2000 squad |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=1 June 2000 |access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>

After his £18&nbsp;million move to Leeds United, Ferdinand was named in the starting line-up by [[caretaker manager]] [[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953)|Peter Taylor]] in a [[Exhibition game|friendly match]] against [[Italy national football team|Italy]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1025379.stm|title=Gattuso wonder goal sinks England|work=BBC News|date=15 November 2000|access-date=26 July 2011}}</ref> and quickly established himself as a first-choice player under [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]]. He was selected as one of England's two first-choice centre-backs at the 2002 and [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]s, wearing the number 5 shirt.

[[John Terry]] (with whom Ferdinand would later partner in central defence) replaced Ferdinand in the England side throughout his eight-month ban until his return on 9 October 2004 in their [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|World Cup qualifier]] against [[Wales national football team|Wales]]. Ferdinand played ten [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup finals]] matches for England, recording clean sheets against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] and Denmark in 2002, and [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]], [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad & Tobago]], [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rio-gavin-ferdinand/179/ |title=R. Ferdinand |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=31 May 2015 |archive-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426070739/http://int.soccerway.com/players/rio-gavin-ferdinand/179/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Rio Ferdinand-en.JPG|thumb|right|Ferdinand on international duty, 2009]]

On 25 March 2008, it was announced that Ferdinand would wear the [[Captain (association football)|captain's armband]] for [[Fabio Capello]]'s second game in charge of the national team,<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Aikman |title=Ferdinand to captain England in Paris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/mar/25/newsstory.sport1 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=25 March 2008 |access-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref> ahead of John Terry, [[Steven Gerrard]] or [[David Beckham]], who some believed would be named captain to mark his 100th cap for his country. An FA statement suggested that the decision to name Ferdinand as captain was part of Capello's plans of rotating the captaincy before naming an official captain for September's World Cup qualifiers. On 19 August, however, Ferdinand lost out to Terry in retaining the captain's armband but was named vice-captain by Fabio Capello.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8502516.stm |title=Alex Ferguson proud of England captain Rio Ferdinand |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref>

A mistake in the match between England and [[Ukraine national football team|Ukraine]] in [[Dnipropetrovsk]] on 10 October 2009, which led to the [[ejection (sports)|sending off]] of [[Robert Green]], caused some to question his inclusion in the squad. A lack of match practice for his club and a series of errors such as he suffered in his early days as a footballer led to criticism of his inclusion from several corners.<ref>McNulty, Phil (10 October 2009) [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2009/10/ferdinand_must_sharpen_up.html "Ferdinand must sharpen up"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017012758/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2009/10/ferdinand_must_sharpen_up.html |date=17 October 2015}} BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2013.</ref>

On 5 February 2010, Ferdinand replaced John Terry as captain of England.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Terry stripped of England captaincy by Capello|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8495604.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 February 2010|access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref>

Although back and groin injury problems forced him to miss much of the [[2009–10 Manchester United F.C. season|2009–10 domestic season]], Ferdinand was selected to captain England at the 2010 World Cup. However, he suffered a knee ligament injury during the team's first training session in South Africa on 4 June and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8722236.stm|title=Rio Ferdinand out of England World Cup squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2010|access-date=4 June 2010}}</ref> On 19 March 2011, ahead of England's [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualification|Euro 2012 qualifier]] against Wales, Capello announced that John Terry was to be re-instated as permanent England captain and that Ferdinand would return to his role of vice-captain.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9430471.stm|title=John Terry returns as permanent captain of England |publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2011|access-date=26 July 2011}}</ref>

Ferdinand was left out of [[Roy Hodgson]]'s squad for [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]], leading to strong speculation this was to avoid potential conflict with John Terry, who was included in the squad, due to Terry's upcoming trial for racially abusing Ferdinand's brother [[Anton Ferdinand|Anton]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rio Ferdinand 'gutted' at England Euro 2012 snub|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18093759|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2012}}</ref> Further controversy arose after [[Gary Cahill]] was ruled out of the tournament, with 22-year-old [[Martin Kelly (footballer)|Martin Kelly]] with only two minutes of international football being called up as a replacement instead of Ferdinand. This led to Ferdinand's representative Jamie Moralee accusing Hodgson of showing a "lack of respect".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18311737 |title=Euro 2012: Gary Cahill ruled out but Rio Ferdinand overlooked|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2012}}</ref>

On 3 October 2012, the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' reported that Roy Hodgson had revealed to fellow passengers on the [[London Underground]] that Ferdinand would no longer be considered for England duty, despite the retirement of John Terry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19831296|title=Roy Hodgson expected to explain Rio Ferdinand comments|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 October 2012}}</ref> Hodgson later apologised for these comments and denied that he was ruling Ferdinand out of playing for England again.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19827887|title=Roy Hodgson apologises to Rio Ferdinand over Tube comments|publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2012}}</ref>

On 14 March 2013, Ferdinand was recalled to the England squad for the first time under Hodgson for England's [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2014 World Cup qualifiers]] against [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] and [[Montenegro national football team|Montenegro]], though subsequently Ferdinand pulled out of the squad on 18 March due to 'fitness concerns'. Ferdinand said he was "gutted" at having to withdraw but said it was the "right decision". However, Roy Hodgson assured Ferdinand he still had an international future despite the withdrawal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21782595|title=Rio Ferdinand recalled to England squad for World Cup qualifiers|date=14 March 2013|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/18/rio-ferdinand-withdraws-england-squad |title=Rio Ferdinand withdraws from England squad for World Cup qualifiers |date=18 March 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref>

In May 2013, Ferdinand announced his retirement from international football, saying that "it's the right time to make room for young players and focus on the club career".<ref>{{cite news |title=Rio Ferdinand: Manchester United defender retires from England |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22536874 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10058111/Rio-Ferdinand-retires-from-England-duty.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10058111/Rio-Ferdinand-retires-from-England-duty.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rio Ferdinand retires from England duty |date=15 May 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=15 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Style of play==
Ferdinand was considered an atypical defensive product of English football due to his more elegant, graceful, and "continental" rather than physical style of defensive play;<ref name="mirror.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rio-ferdinand-tactical-analysis-how-2141309|title=Why it will be at least a decade before England produce another top-class continental-style defender like Rio Ferdinand|work=The Mirror|date=9 August 2013|access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Rolls Royce">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2307508/United-bank-on-Ferdinand.html |title=Rio Ferdinand was the Rolls Royce of defenders and exit from Manchester United signals changing of the guard |work=The Telegraph |last1=Hayward |first1=Paul |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en/premier-league/news/the-evolution-of-defending-in-the-premier-lea/1443081 |title=The Evolution of Defending in the Premier League: From Bruce to Van Dijk |publisher=beIN Sports |date=2 April 2020 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="noughty">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b91997a6-8a2b-4c86-a4ac-206596089eb4 |title=Noughty Boys: Rio Ferdinand changed the game for English defenders |publisher=BBC Sport |last1=Victor |first1=Tom |date=19 March 2019 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref> in particular, he was singled out for his unique technical ability, skill, balance, and confidence on the ball, despite his height, as well as his composure in possession, distribution with either foot, and his ability to carry the ball forward or play it out from the back on the ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/pro-tips/rio-playing-out-from-the-back|title=Rio: Playing out from the back|publisher=FourFourTwo|access-date=18 December 2014|archive-date=18 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218202518/http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/pro-tips/rio-playing-out-from-the-back|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rio-ferdinand-retirement-the-manchester-united-defender-earned-the-right-to-call-time-on-his-england-career-8617424.html |title=Rio Ferdinand retirement: The Manchester United defender earned the right to call time on his England career|newspaper=The Independent |last=Garside |first=Kevin |location=London |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=18 December 2014 }}</ref><ref name="bleacherreport.com">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1749428-rio-ferdinand-vs-john-terry-who-is-the-better-defender|title=Rio Ferdinand vs. John Terry: Who Is the Better Defender?|publisher=bleacherreport.com|last=Tansey|first=Joe|date=25 August 2013|access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="United bank on Ferdinand">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2307508/United-bank-on-Ferdinand.html |title=United bank on Ferdinand |work=The Telegraph |last1=Brown |first1=Oliver |date=10 February 2007 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Vidic talks to ESPN">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/manchester-united/360/blog/post/3111716/nemanja-vidic-talks-to-espn-fc-about-manchester-united-and-more |title=Fergie, Ferdinand, Moscow and more – Nemanja Vidic talks to ESPN FC |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Mitten |first1=Andy |date=26 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Terry is the Premier League's best central defender">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/67/post/2271191/headline |title=John Terry is the Premier League's best central defender this season |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Cox |first1=Michael |date=30 January 2015 |access-date=27 April 2020 }}</ref> As such, due to his mobility and ball–playing ability, he was often paired with a more physical centre-back throughout his career, such as Nemanja Vidić with Manchester United, or John Terry with England.<ref name="United bank on Ferdinand"/><ref name="Vidic talks to ESPN"/><ref name="Terry's Chelsea career">{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10880227/john-terrys-chelsea-career-where-does-the-defender-rank |title=John Terry's Chelsea career: Where does the defender rank? |publisher=Sky Sports |last1=Bate |first1=Adam |date=17 May 2017 |access-date=27 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="England's 10 Greatest World Cup Central Defenders">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2098444-ranking-englands-10-greatest-world-cup-central-defenders |title=Ranking England's 10 Greatest World Cup Central Defenders |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Hayes |first1=Garry |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=27 April 2020 }}</ref> Although he often played in a [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|central defensive]] pairing in a back–four throughout his career, he was also capable of playing in the centre of a three–man back–line, in which he essentially functioned as a [[Defender (association football)#Sweeper (libero)|sweeper]], courtesy of his technique and passing.<ref name="evolving"/> Due to his ball skills, he occasionally drew criticism from pundits and his managers in his youth for taking unnecessary risks in possession, and committing mistakes, although he improved upon this aspect of the game as he matured with age and experience.<ref name="noughty"/><ref name="Rio must improve">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferguson-admits-rio-must-improve-1804225.html |title=Ferguson admits Rio must improve |work=The Independent |last1=Herbert |first1=Ian |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref>

A world-class defender, who was considered to be one of the best stoppers in the world at his peak,<ref name="Rolls Royce"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/3031461/United-unveil-30m-Ferdinand.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/3031461/United-unveil-30m-Ferdinand.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=United unveil £30m Ferdinand |work=The Telegraph |date=22 July 2002 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ferdinand is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, and as one of England's, Manchester United's, and the Premier League's best ever centre-backs.<ref name="mirror.co.uk"/><ref name="independent.co.uk"/><ref name="England's 10 Greatest World Cup Central Defenders"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2317994/The-best-20-England-defenders.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2317994/The-best-20-England-defenders.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The best 20 England defenders |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=David |last=Miller |date=31 July 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/the-20-best-premier-league-defenders-ever-where-does-john-terry/manchester-uniteds-rio-ferdinand-during-their-english-premier-le/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/the-20-best-premier-league-defenders-ever-where-does-john-terry/manchester-uniteds-rio-ferdinand-during-their-english-premier-le/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The 20 best Premier League defenders ever: where does John Terry rank? |work=The Telegraph |date=12 May 2016 |access-date=27 April 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Ferdinand's Losing Battles with Injuries">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/402305-ferdinands-losing-battles-with-injuries-continue |title=Rio Ferdinand's Losing Battles with Injuries Continue |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Mishra |first1=Rohit Arvind |date=7 June 2010 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref> In his prime, he was also praised for his pace, work-rate, and tackling,<ref name="noughty"/><ref name="bleacherreport.com"/><ref name="United bank on Ferdinand"/> in addition to his positioning, consistency, intelligence, and ability to read the game.<ref name="mirror.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/pro-tips/rio-the-thinking-mans-guide-to-defending|title=Rio: The thinking man's guide to defending|publisher=FourFourTwo|access-date=18 December 2014|archive-date=18 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218195500/http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/pro-tips/rio-the-thinking-mans-guide-to-defending|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140620/west-ham-united-at-the-world-cup-98_2236884_3881080 |title=West Ham United at the World Cup&nbsp;– '98 |publisher=www.whufc.com |access-date=18 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218193934/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140620/west-ham-united-at-the-world-cup-98_2236884_3881080 |archive-date=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="MUFC Profile RF">{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/rio-ferdinand |title=Rio Ferdinand |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/15/rio-ferdinand-retires-england-international-football |title=Rio Ferdinand quits England with plaudits but more than a few regrets |work=The Guardian |last1=Gibson |first1=Owen |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.co.uk/1122424/2019/08/10/dimitar-berbatov-my-perfect-player-ferguson-smashed-defenders-with-a-passion-that-was-strangely-beautiful/ |title=Dimitar Berbatov: My Perfect Player – 'Duncan Ferguson smashed defenders with a passion that was strangely beautiful' |last1=Mitten |first1=Andy |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2019 |access-date=30 April 2020 }}</ref> He was also an athletic and physically strong defender, who was reliable in the air,<ref name="mirror.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/2375750/rio-ferdinand-profile |title=Rio Ferdinand profile |publisher=Sky Sports |last1=Higham |first1=Paul |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/low/team_pages/england/squad/newsid_1901000/1901283.stm |title=Rio Ferdinand |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2002 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Ferdinand Agrees QPR Transfer">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2107693-rio-ferdinand-reportedly-agrees-qpr-transfer-after-manchester-united-exit |title=Rio Ferdinand Reportedly Agrees QPR Transfer After Manchester United Exit |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Akerman |first1=Nick |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref> although at times he was criticised in the media for his aerial game, as well as his ability to defend high balls and set pieces, in particular in his youth.<ref name="Rio must improve"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/england/3167735.stm |title=England player ratings |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2003 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref> In addition to his defensive skills, he also possessed significant leadership qualities.<ref name="bleacherreport.com"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Harbert |first1=Jeff |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/23355-manchester-united-rio-ferdinand-should-be-captain-permanently |title=Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand Should Be Captain—Permanently |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=15 May 2008 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref> Despite his ability, however, his later career was marked by injuries, which led him to lose the exceptional pace which had characterised him in his early career, and which previously allowed him to compensate for the occasional lapses in concentration he experienced in his youth; as such, he occasionally struggled against faster opponents with his advancing age.<ref name="Rolls Royce"/><ref name="evolving">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-premier-league/23/blog/post/3336726/premier-league-defending-is-not-worse-as-rio-ferdinand-says-it-is |title=Premier League defending isn't worse, as Ferdinand says: it's just evolving |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Cox |first1=Michael |date=5 January 2018 |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Ferdinand's Losing Battles with Injuries"/><ref name="Ferdinand Agrees QPR Transfer"/>

==Boxing career==
In September 2017, Ferdinand announced that he was launching a career to become a [[professional boxer]]. His move into the ring was sponsored by betting company [[Betfair]], who assisted him in attempting to qualify for his British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) licence before he began training and competing. Ferdinand stated that "I'm doing this [boxing] because it's a challenge, I've won titles and now I'm aiming for a belt."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/41313235|title=Rio Ferdinand: Retired footballer to launch pro boxing career|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2017}}</ref> It was announced in May 2018 that Ferdinand had been refused a professional boxing licence by the [[British Boxing Board of Control]]. BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith told BBC Sport: "There are a lot of things we take into consideration. He never had a competitive fight and although he has been in the gym, there is a difference between being in the gym and boxing. We do not deem it beneficial for him to have a licence."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Trainer 'not surprised' licence refused|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/43994553|access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> Following the rejection, Ferdinand announced that he was "hanging-up his gloves".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Ferdinand: Former footballer refused professional boxing licence |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2018 |access-date=3 May 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/43988433 }}</ref>

==FA commission==
On 20 October 2013, Ferdinand and Roy Hodgson were appointed to the Football Association's commission to improve the state of the national game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24603866|title=Rio Ferdinand & Roy Hodgson join Football Association commission|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 October 2013|date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Vladimir Putin's meeting with the legends of world football (2018-07-06) 13.jpg|thumb|Ferdinand (far right) with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] (centre) at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia]]
Ferdinand grew up in the Friary council estate, Peckham.<ref name=Jones/> He has several brothers and sisters: one brother and three sisters on his father's side and a brother and sister from his mother's remarriage.<ref name=Jackson/> His brother, [[Anton Ferdinand]], also played as a defender, while his cousins are [[Les Ferdinand]] and [[Kane Ferdinand]].<ref name=Jones/> Although he spent the majority of his career with Manchester United, he grew up supporting [[Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|rivals]] Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith |first1=Chris |title=Miss World and 105 other celebrity LFC fans |url=http://liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/miss-world-and-105-other-celebrity-lfc-fans |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=20 November 2015 |date=25 December 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121101838/http://liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/miss-world-and-105-other-celebrity-lfc-fans |archive-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>

In 2006 in Manchester, Ferdinand's girlfriend Rebecca Ellison gave birth to their first son.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rio: My Story|last1=Ferdinand|first1=Rio|first2=Shaun|last2=Curtis|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7553-1533-8}}</ref> The couple had two more children.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13108781|title=FA Cup: Rio Ferdinand hits out at Mario Balotelli|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 April 2011 |access-date=17 April 2011}}</ref> In 2010, Ferdinand [[Ferdinand v Mirror Group Newspapers|unsuccessfully sued]] the ''[[Sunday Mirror]]'' to prevent the publication of a story about an alleged affair with Carly Storey.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rio Ferdinand loses privacy case against Sunday Mirror |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15114365 |website=BBC News |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=30 November 2019 }}</ref> During the case, it was alleged that then-England captain Ferdinand had affairs with ten different women.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rio Ferdinand had ten lovers, court hears |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8621975/Rio-Ferdinand-had-ten-lovers-court-hears.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8621975/Rio-Ferdinand-had-ten-lovers-court-hears.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 July 2011 |access-date=30 November 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/rio-ferdinand-cheated-wife-least-139933|title=Rio Ferdinand cheated on wife with at least 10 women, the High Court is told|website=Mirror.co.uk|date=6 July 2011|access-date=8 July 2018}}</ref>

Ellison and Ferdinand married in 2009. Ellison died of [[breast cancer]] on 2 May 2015, aged 34.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-32563022|title=Rio Ferdinand's wife dies after cancer battle|publisher=BBC|date=2 May 2015|access-date=2 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Mendick |title=Rio Ferdinand's wife dies after cancer battle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/11578877/Rio-Ferdinands-wife-dies-after-cancer-battle.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/11578877/Rio-Ferdinands-wife-dies-after-cancer-battle.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 May 2015 |access-date=30 November 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ferdinand's memoir of his wife's illness and subsequent bereavement, ''Thinking Out Loud'', was co-written with [[Decca Aitkenhead]], and published in October 2017.<ref name=BooksellerJun17>{{cite news|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/rio-ferdinand-pens-grief-memoir-564151|title=Rio Ferdinand pens grief memoir|author=Lisa Campbell|date=5 June 2017|work=The Bookseller|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>

On 27 September 2019, Ferdinand married for the second time, to Kate Wright. The ceremony was attended by his children, along with the couple's other close family members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/rio-ferdinand-kate-wright-wedding-turkey-a4249861.html|title=Rio Ferdinand admits he cried when Kate Wright walked down the aisle as couple share details from Turkish wedding|work=Evening Standard|date=30 September 2019|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, Ferdinand and Wright announced that they were expecting their first child together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://expectant.ly/rio-ferdinand-and-wife-kate-wright-exciting-pregnancy-announce-video/|title=Rio Ferdinand and Wife Kate Wright Exciting Pregnancy Announcement Video|date=19 June 2020|access-date=19 June 2020|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413221011/https://expectant.ly/rio-ferdinand-and-wife-kate-wright-exciting-pregnancy-announce-video/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The child, a boy, was born on 18 December 2020.

Ferdinand set up the Live the Dream Foundation charity in December 2009 to provide education and employment opportunities for children.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mike|last=McGrath|title=Ferdinand plans showbiz charity bash |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferdinand-plans-showbiz-charity-bash-1800228.html|newspaper=The Independent |location=London|date=9 October 2009|access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref>

===Politics===
Although Ferdinand has never voted before in a [[Elections in the United Kingdom|general election]], he backed a Remain vote in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/rio-ferdinand-why-the-eu-referendum-has-made-me-want-to-vote-for-the-first-time-a3277121.html|title=Rio Ferdinand: Why referendum has made me want to vote for first time|work=Evening Standard|date=21 June 2016|access-date=8 July 2018}}</ref>

===Controversies===
{{Criticism section|date=May 2025}}
In 2000, Ferdinand briefly appeared in a sexually explicit video filmed at the [[Ayia Napa]] resort in Cyprus along with fellow English footballers [[Kieron Dyer]] and [[Frank Lampard]]. [[Channel 4]] aired a brief clip as part of their 2004 documentary ''Sex, Footballers and Videotape'', claiming it was used to "remind the viewer that this is based on real life".<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Naysmith |title=Channel 4 to show alleged Premiership sex video |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20040815/ai_n12590242 |newspaper=Sunday Herald |location=Glasgow |date=15 August 2004 |access-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817212622/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20040815/ai_n12590242/ |archive-date=17 August 2011}}</ref>

In 2002, during the rape trial of their acquaintance Martin King, Ferdinand and former Leeds colleague [[Michael Duberry]] denied allegations that Duberry had molested the woman and Ferdinand had threatened her in the Leeds nightclub Hi-Fi on the night of 22 January, as well as further allegations of scuffling and drunkenness. Both men were interviewed by the police but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in April 2003 that they would not face charges.<ref>{{cite news |first=Germaine |last=Greer |title=Nothing new about ugly sex |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/16/sport.comment1 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 December 2003 |access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref> King was found guilty of indecent assault and attempted rape.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Stokes |title=Life for bailed rapist who struck again |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1430903/Life-for-bailed-rapist-who-struck-again.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1430903/Life-for-bailed-rapist-who-struck-again.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 May 2003 |access-date=3 September 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

During a radio interview on ''[[The Chris Moyles Show]]'' in October 2006, Ferdinand attracted two listener complaints and criticism from gay rights campaigner [[Peter Tatchell]] when he called Moyles a [[faggot (slang)|faggot]], followed by "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm not [[homophobic]]", after Moyles had jokingly suggested he was homosexual. [[BBC Radio 1]] later dismissed the exchange as [[banter]], while Tatchell said "since [he] very promptly apologised, I am happy to accept his regret and leave it at that".<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferdinand brands DJ 'a faggot' on air |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/oct/02/broadcasting.football |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 October 2006 |access-date=26 August 2008}}</ref>

In the wake of a [[R v John Terry|court case]] involving [[John Terry]] and Rio's brother Anton, in which Terry was found not guilty of racial abuse, Rio Ferdinand sparked media controversy by expressing amusement at the comments of a [[Twitter]] user who referred to [[Ashley Cole]], who had testified in Terry's favour, as a "[[choc ice]]", a slang term which is commonly understood to mean "[[Uncle Tom|black on the outside, white on the inside]]". Ferdinand deleted the tweet shortly afterwards and denied [[choc ice]] is a racist term, adding, "And if I want to laugh at something someone tweets....I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a twist!"<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |title=Rio Ferdinand claims 'choc ice' term is common slang, not racist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jul/15/twitter-rio-ferdinand-john-terry-ashley-cole |work=The Guardian |date=15 July 2012 |access-date=30 November 2019 }}</ref> Cole's lawyers released a statement in response, stating that he would not be taking the matter further.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jul/15/rio-ferdinand-ashley-cole-racist-fake |title=Rio Ferdinand: I'm not racist, I was calling Ashley Cole a fake |work=The Guardian |first=Jacob |last=Steinberg |date=15 July 2012 |access-date=30 November 2019 }}</ref> Ferdinand's words were condemned as "insensitive and untimely" by [[Professional Footballers' Association]] (PFA) chief [[Clarke Carlisle]].<ref>Lake, Jefferson (15 July 2012) [http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cobblers/ex-cobbler-carlisle-brands-ferdinand-comment-insensitive-1-4059452 "Ex-Cobbler Carlisle brands Ferdinand comment 'insensitive'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717071730/http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cobblers/ex-cobbler-carlisle-brands-ferdinand-comment-insensitive-1-4059452 |date=17 July 2012}} ''Northampton Chronicle & Echo''. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2013.</ref> In August 2012, Ferdinand was fined £45,000 for his Twitter remarks after an Independent Regulatory Commission found him guilty of bringing the game into disrepute with an "improper" comment which included "a reference to ethnic origin, colour or race."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9482601/Rio-Ferdinand-fined-45000-by-FA-over-choc-ice-tweet.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9482601/Rio-Ferdinand-fined-45000-by-FA-over-choc-ice-tweet.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rio Ferdinand fined £45,000 by FA over 'choc ice' tweet |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=17 August 2012|access-date=5 July 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2014, Ferdinand was again charged by the FA for using offensive language on Twitter, after referring to the mother of a critic as a "sket", a [[Jamaican slang]] word for a promiscuous female.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand charged by FA with misconduct over Twitter comment|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29622338|access-date=14 October 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2014}}</ref> Ferdinand was fined £25,000 for the offence and banned from playing for three games.<ref name="sketgate">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29826136|title=Rio Ferdinand suspended and fined over Twitter comment|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2014|access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> The FA considered Ferdinand's position as a "role model" to be an aggravating factor for the penalty, in addition to it being his second Twitter offence within three years and no admission of wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand ban because he is role model&nbsp;– Football Association|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29916962|access-date=5 November 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 November 2014}}</ref>

In March 2015, it was announced that Ferdinand would be the new face of [[online casino]] Casino Floor. The announcement provoked strong criticism on Twitter from a number of Ferdinand's followers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlinegamblingbible.com/fans-slamming-footballer-rio-ferdinands-online-gambling-endorsement-deal/|title=Fans Slamming Footballer Rio Ferdinand's Gambling Endorsement Deal|publisher=onlinegamblingbible.com|date=23 March 2015|access-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> who suggested it was inappropriate that a role model for young people should endorse gambling, particularly given the well documented struggles of many of his peers with [[problem gambling]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aldridge|first=Gemma|date=21 March 2015|title=Rio Ferdinand's online gambling endorsement deal is slammed as fans call foul|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rio-ferdinands-online-gambling-endorsement-5378030|access-date=18 August 2020|website=mirror}}</ref>

===Driving bans===
In September 1997, Ferdinand was convicted of [[driving under the influence|drink-driving]] and given a one-year driving ban. He had been breathalysed after driving on the morning after a night out, and was found to be one point over the limit.<ref name=Telegraph24Nov2000DelBoy>{{cite news|first=Christopher|last=Davies|title=From Del Boy land to Del Piero's equal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/2993300/From-Del-Boy-land-to-Del-Pieros-equal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/2993300/From-Del-Boy-land-to-Del-Pieros-equal.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=24 November 2000|access-date=29 January 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> As a result, England manager [[Glenn Hoddle]] dropped Ferdinand from the squad to face Moldova in a World Cup qualification match on 10 September, meaning Ferdinand lost out on the chance, at 18 years and 10 months of age, of becoming the youngest England international since [[Duncan Edwards]].<ref name=Telegraph24Nov2000DelBoy/><ref name=Independent3Sep1997Lesson>{{cite news|first=Glenn|last=Moore|title=Ferdinand taught lesson by England|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ferdinand-taught-lesson-by-england-1237297.html|newspaper=The Independent |location=London|date=3 September 1997|access-date=29 January 2010}}</ref>

In March 2003, Ferdinand was given another six-month ban from driving, and fined £2,500 and six [[Driving licence in the United Kingdom#Points and endorsements|penalty points]] for driving at an average of {{convert|92|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} along the [[M1 motorway|M1]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand in driving ban|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2903543.stm|work=BBC News |date=31 March 2003|access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref> In May 2005, he was criticised by a [[magistrate]] as he received his fourth ban from driving and a fine of £1,500, after being caught by traffic police "travelling at an average of {{convert|105.9|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} over a distance of nearly two miles" on the [[M6 motorway]]. Upon setting the penalty, the magistrate said Ferdinand "should be a positive role model for young people in society and this does not give out the right message". It followed two previous bans for [[speeding]], in 2002 and 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio Ferdinand banned for speeding|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/4578495.stm|work=BBC News |date=25 May 2005|access-date=26 August 2008}}</ref>

In August 2020, Ferdinand was banned from driving for six months after he admitted speeding on the A27 at Hangleton in Hove. Ferdinand was reported to have driven at 85&nbsp;mph. He was ordered to pay a total of £822 in fines and costs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 August 2020|title=Ferdinand hit with road ban for speeding|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-53821948|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref>

===Order of the British Empire===
He was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2022 Birthday Honours]] for services to association football and charity,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63714|supp=y|page=B13|date=1 June 2022}}</ref> having set up the Rio Ferdinand Foundation in 2022, a charity which works with young people and aids community development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/61644594|title=Ferdinand, Muirhead, Bale & Moeen honoured by Queen|access-date=2 June 2022|date=1 June 2022|work=BBC News}}</ref>

===Racist abuse===
In December 2023, a 33-year-old man from [[Staffordshire]] was sent to prison for six months, having been found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand at [[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]] in May 2021. Ferdinand was working there as a TV pundit for a match between [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Gall | first1=Caroline | last2=Latcham | first2=Giles | title=Rio Ferdinand abuser Jamie Arnold jailed for six months | website=BBC News | date=8 December 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9elzg3py13o | access-date=9 December 2023}}</ref>

==Television, punditry, film and music==
[[file:Rio Ferdinand by Walterlan Papetti.jpg|thumb|upright|Ferdinand in 2015]]
The [[Duran Duran]] song "[[Rio (song)|Rio]]" has been used in [[football chant]]s both for and against Ferdinand; in 2002, fan [[Simon Le Bon]] (Duran Duran's lead singer) promised to re-record one of the football chants if the England team (featuring Ferdinand) won their World Cup quarter-final against Brazil.<ref>{{cite news |title=Duran Duran pledge Rio tribute |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2057139.stm |work=BBC News |date=21 June 2002 |access-date=28 April 2011}}</ref>

Ferdinand was sponsored by sportswear company [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and appeared in Nike commercials. In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in a "[[Secret Tournament]]" commercial (branded "Scorpion KO") directed by [[Terry Gilliam]], appearing alongside football players such as [[Thierry Henry]], [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], [[Francesco Totti]], [[Ronaldinho]], [[Luís Figo]], [[Fabio Cannavaro]], and [[Hidetoshi Nakata]], with former player [[Eric Cantona]] the tournament "referee".<ref>{{cite news|title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament&nbsp;– every touch counts |url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |work=NikeBiz |access-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |archive-date=2 June 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Claire |last=Cozens |title=Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=3 April 2002 |access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref>

In 2005, Ferdinand, along with an old school friend, created the record label White Chalk Music.<ref>{{cite news|title=The record doctor: Rio Ferdinand |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1506393,00.html |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=19 June 2005 |access-date=26 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516212639/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0%2C%2C1506393%2C00.html |archive-date=16 May 2008}}</ref> To date, there are two artists signed to the label: Melody Johnston and Nia Jai. The latter released an album on 6 October 2010, which features Ferdinand rapping.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2515207/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-tries-his-hand-at-rapping.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2515207/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-tries-his-hand-at-rapping.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand tries his hand at rapping |last=Irvine |first=Chris |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 August 2008 |access-date=19 July 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In June 2006, ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ferdinand presented the TV show ''[[Rio's World Cup Wind-Ups]]'', in which he carried out a series of practical jokes on his England teammates. It was broadcast immediately after England's opening World Cup game against Paraguay.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kelso |first=Paul |title=Rio plays for laughs on TV |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/18/sport.media |access-date=1 December 2008 |location=London}}</ref>

He made his first foray into the world of cinema in late 2008, financing and becoming an executive producer of [[Alex de Rakoff]]'s film ''[[Dead Man Running (film)|Dead Man Running]]''. The film features [[Danny Dyer]] and [[50 Cent]] in a gangster-themed plot. Ferdinand will share production credits with England teammate Ashley Cole.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferdinand & Cole to produce film |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 November 2008 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7743044.stm |access-date=1 December 2008}}</ref>

In 2008, Ferdinand filmed a documentary about [[Peckham]], aiming to persuade youngsters away from a life of crime.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Stuart |title=Rio's a changed man |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1073259_rios_a_changed_man |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=1 December 2008}}</ref>

On 16 January 2009, it was announced that he would be working with publishing company Made Up Media to launch a digital magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/jan/16/monkey-rio-digital-magazine |title=His name is Rio and he cultivates his brand |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=16 May 2012}}</ref> In conjunction with this, Ferdinand was guest editor of the February edition of the ''[[Observer Sport Monthly]]'', providing interviews with people ranging from [[Gordon Brown]] to [[Usain Bolt]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/01/rio-ferdinand |title=The Rio Ferdinand issue |last=Ferdinand |first=Rio |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=1 February 2009 |access-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> The magazine, called [[5 Magazine|''#5 Magazine'']], had its first issue published in April of that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rio's five alive and online |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/news/2009/rio_ferdinand_5_300409 |publisher=The Football Association |date=30 April 2009 |access-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801115422/http://www.thefa.com/England/news/2009/rio_ferdinand_5_300409 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, he joined [[TNT Sports (United Kingdom)|BT Sport]] (now TNT Sports) as a pundit for their coverage of the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and [[UEFA Europa League]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/steven-gerrard-rio-ferdinand-and-glenn-hoddle-join-gary-lineker-as-bt-sport-unveil-their-new-10307726.html|title=Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle join Gary Lineker as BT|date=9 June 2015|newspaper=London Evening Standard|access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

In March 2017, Ferdinand discussed strategies for coping with bereavement in the [[BBC One]] documentary ''Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad''.<ref name="BBC 28 March 2017">{{cite episode |title=Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad |series=Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad |credits=Participant: Rio Ferdinand; Director: Matt Smith |network=BBC |station=BBC One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08kzclp |airdate=28 March 2017 |access-date=28 March 2017 }}</ref> The programme won the Robert Flaherty Award for Single Documentary at the [[2018 British Academy Television Awards|2018 BAFTA Awards]].

Released in November 2022, Ferdinand was the focus of a three-part docuseries entitled ''Rio Ferdinand's Tipping Point'' which explored race, sexuality, and mental health in football communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Ferdinand on how his new series Tipping Point can lead to "positive, impactful change" |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/rio-ferdinand-tipping-point-big-rt-interview/ |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref>

Ferdinand also participated in the [[2026 FIFA World Cup seeding|2026 FIFA World Cup draw]] on December 5, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/final-draw-ferdinand-brady-oneal-gretzky-judge|title=Legendary multi-sport line-up to assist Rio Ferdinand at the Final Draw|access-date=December 4, 2025|publisher=FIFA}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[1995–96 West Ham United F.C. season|1995–96]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|1995|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
|[[1996–97 West Ham United F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name="96/97">{{soccerbase season|8940|1996|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|15||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||2
|-
|[[1997–98 West Ham United F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|1997|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||0||6||0||5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||46||0
|-
|[[1998–99 West Ham United F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|1998|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||0
|-
|[[1999–2000 West Ham United F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|1999|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||0||1||0||4||0||3{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]}}||0||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]}}||0||46||0
|-
|[[2000–01 West Ham United F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name="00/01">{{soccerbase season|8940|2000|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|12||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!127!!2!!9!!0!!13!!0!!3!!0!!6!!0!!158!!2
|-
|[[AFC Bournemouth]] (loan)
|[[1996–97 AFC Bournemouth season|1996–97]]<ref name="96/97"/>
|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]
|10||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Football League Trophy]]}}||0||11||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2000–01 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name="00/01"/>
|Premier League
|23||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||32||3
|-
|[[2001–02 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2001|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||0||1||0||2||0||7{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||41||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!2!!3!!0!!2!!0!!14!!1!!0!!0!!73!!3
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2002|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||0||3||0||4||0||11{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||46||0
|-
|[[2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2003|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|20||0||0||0||0||0||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||27||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Manchester United F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2004|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||0||5||0||1||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||42||0
|-
|[[2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2005|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|37||3||2||0||5||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||52||3
|-
|[[2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2006|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||1||7||0||0||0||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||49||1
|-
|[[2007–08 Manchester United F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2007|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||2||4||0||0||0||11{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||51||3
|-
|[[2008–09 Manchester United F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2008|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||0||3||0||1||0||11{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||4{{efn|One appearance in FA Community Shield, one in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||43||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Manchester United F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2009|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|13||0||0||0||1||0||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||21||0
|-
|[[2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2010|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|19||0||2||0||1||0||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||29||0
|-
|[[2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2011|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|30||0||1||0||0||0||6{{efn|Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||38||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Manchester United F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2012|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||1||2||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||34||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Manchester United F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2013|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|14||0||1||0||1||0||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||23||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!312!!7!!30!!0!!14!!0!!91!!1!!8!!0!!455!!8
|-
|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
|[[2014–15 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|8940|2014|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|11||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!514!!11!!43!!0!!29!!0!!108!!2!!15!!0!!709!!13
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="15"|[[England national football team|England]]<ref name=NFT>{{NFT player|2166|name=Ferdinand, Rio|accessdate=18 November 2017}}</ref>
|1997||1||0
|-
|1998||4||0
|-
|1999||3||0
|-
|2000||2||0
|-
|2001||9||0
|-
|2002||9||1
|-
|2003||5||0
|-
|2004||3||0
|-
|2005||8||0
|-
|2006||12||0
|-
|2007||8||1
|-
|2008||8||1
|-
|2009||4||0
|-
|2010||4||0
|-
|2011||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!81!!3
|}

:''Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ferdinand goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Rio Ferdinand <ref name=NFT/>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col" data-sort-type="date"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Cap
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
|align="center"|1
|15 June 2002||[[Denka Big Swan Stadium|Niigata Stadium]], [[Niigata, Niigata|Niigata]], Japan||align="center"|26||{{fb|Denmark}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|3–0||[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
|align="center"|2
|12 September 2007||[[Wembley Stadium]], London, England||align="center"|62||{{fb|Russia}}||align="center"|3–0||align="center"|3–0||[[UEFA Euro 2008 qualification]]
|-
|align="center"|3
|11 October 2008||Wembley Stadium, London, England||align="center"|71||{{fb|Kazakhstan}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|5–1||[[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|}

==Honours==
'''West Ham United'''
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup|1999]]{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

'''Manchester United<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/May/Rio-Ferdinand-announces-decision-to-leave-Manchester-United.aspx|title=Man Utd News – Team news, injury updates, transfers, new signings|website=www.manutd.com|access-date=8 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="manchestereveningnews.co.uk"/>'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2002–03 FA Premier League|2002–03]], [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07]], [[2007–08 Premier League|2007–08]], [[2008–09 Premier League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 Premier League|2010–11]], [[2012–13 Premier League|2012–13]]<ref name=PL>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1111/Rio-Ferdinand/overview |title=Rio Ferdinand: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2006 Football League Cup Final|2005–06]], [[2009 Football League Cup Final|2008–09]]
*[[FA Community Shield]]: [[2003 FA Community Shield|2003]], [[2007 FA Community Shield|2007]], [[2008 FA Community Shield|2008]], [[2011 FA Community Shield|2011]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2008 UEFA Champions League Final|2007–08]]
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup Final|2008]]

'''Individual'''
<!--LEAGUE AND FEDERATION-SANCTIONED AWARDS ONLY. No fan or magazine-voted awards. Listed in chronological order from last time won.-->
*[[West Ham United F.C.#Hammer of the Year|West Ham United Hammer of the Year]]: [[1997–98 West Ham United F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref name=GUIDE/>
*[[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Premier League Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 3|2001–02]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1930394.stm |title=PFA's Premiership XI |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 April 2002 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 6|2004–05]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4478329.stm |title=Terry claims player of year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2005 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 8|2006–07]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA awards double |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#Premier League|2007–08]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7370319.stm |title=Ronaldo named player of the year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2008 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#Premier League 2|2008–09]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8019726.stm |title=Giggs earns prestigious PFA award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Premier League 4|2012–13]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2013 |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2001–02 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|October 2001]]<ref name=PL/>
*[[European Sports Media#ESM Team of the Year|ESM Team of the Year]]: 2007–08<ref>{{cite news |title=ESM Squad of the season |url=http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/special/esmsquadyear.htm |publisher=European Football Statistics |access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref>
*[[FIFPro World XI]]: 2007–08<ref>{{cite news |title=The FIFPro World XI of the Year 2007/2008 |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/01/53/35/75/world_xi_2008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125015458/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/01/53/35/75/world_xi_2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 November 2011 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref>
*[[London Youth Games]] Hall of Fame: 2010 inductee<ref>{{cite news |title=Sports stars celebrate London Youth Games |url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7414.aspx |publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport |location=London |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref>
*[[Premier League 20 Seasons Awards]] (1992–93 to 2011–12)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/man-utd-dominate-20-seasons-fantasy-team.html |title=Man Utd dominate 20 Seasons Fantasy Teams |publisher=Premier League |access-date=14 May 2012 |date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518075822/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/man-utd-dominate-20-seasons-fantasy-team.html |archive-date=18 May 2012}}</ref>
**[[Premier League 20 Seasons Awards#Fantasy Teams of the 20 Seasons|Fantasy Teams of the 20 Seasons (Panel choice)]]
*[[English Football Hall of Fame]]: 2016 Inductee<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/news/hall-of-fame-inductees-announced/ |title=Hall of Fame Inductees Announced |publisher=National Football Museum |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=20 July 2021 }}</ref>
*[[Premier League Hall of Fame]]: 2023<ref name="BBC Sport halloffame">{{cite web | title=Ferdinand, Cech & Adams inducted into Hall of Fame | website=BBC Sport | date=3 May 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65469143 | access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>

'''Orders and special awards'''
*[[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA]] Award for [[British Academy Television Award for Best Single Documentary|Best Single Documentary]]: [[2018 British Academy Television Awards|2018]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Television Single Documentary in 2018 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2018/television/single-documentary |website=BAFTA |access-date=26 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPvQtc4-NNQ|title=Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad wins Single Documentary|last=BAFTA|date=26 March 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxT-b9iv0Vs|title=Rio Ferdinand talks about becoming a BAFTA winner for Single Documentary|last=BAFTA|date=26 March 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref>
*[[Honorary degree]] of [[Doctor of Letters]] (D.Litt) from [[London South Bank University]]: 3 March 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ex-england-captain-rio-ferdinand-bestowed-with-honorary-doctorate-for-his-equality-work/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303143541/https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ex-england-captain-rio-ferdinand-bestowed-with-honorary-doctorate-for-his-equality-work/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 March 2022 |title=Ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand bestowed with honorary doctorate for his equality work |last=Porter |first=Toby |date=3 March 2022 |website=London News Online |access-date=4 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rio Ferdinand presented with honorary doctorate by London South Bank University |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sport/2022/03/04/rio-ferdinand-presented-with-honorary-doctorate-by-london-south-bank-university/ |website=The Voice |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rio Ferdinand, honorary doctor of letters |url=https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/stories/rio-ferdinand-honorary-doctor-of-letters |website=The London South Bank University |access-date=26 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925084716/https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/stories/rio-ferdinand-honorary-doctor-of-letters |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in the Civil Division "For services to Association Football and to Charity" in the [[2022 Birthday Honours|2022 Queen's Birthday Honours List]]: 1 June 2022<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's Birthday Honours: Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale, Eve Muirhead and Moeen Ali honoured |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/61644594 |access-date=2 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Title
!Year published
!Pages
!Ref.
|-
|''Rio: My Story''
|2007
|470
|<ref>{{cite book|first=Rio|last=Ferdinand|title=Rio: My Story|year=2006|publisher=Headline |isbn=978-0755315321}}</ref>
|-
|''Rio: My Decade as a Red''
|2013
|256
|<ref>{{cite book|first=Rio|last=Ferdinand|title=Rio: My Decade as a Red|date=August 2013|publisher=Bonnier Books Limited |isbn=978-1905825585}}</ref>
|-
|''#2Sides: My Autobiography''
|2014
|271
|<ref>{{cite book|first=Rio|last=Ferdinand|title=#2Sides: My Autobiography|date=October 2014|publisher=Blink |isbn=978-1905825912}}</ref>
|-
|''Thinking Out Loud: Love, Grief and Being Mum and Dad''
|2017
|288
|<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thinking Out Loud|last=Ferdinand|first=Rio|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|year=2017|isbn=9781473670235}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*[[List of doping cases in sport]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
*{{Official website|http://www.rioferdinand.com/}}
*[http://www.rioferdinandfoundation.com/ Rio Ferdinand Foundation official site]
*[http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/F/Rio-Ferdinand Rio Ferdinand profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113055253/http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/F/Rio-Ferdinand |date=13 January 2016 }} at the Football Association website
*{{FIFA player|170721}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
* {{Englandstats | 1083 }}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528100951/http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Judgments/ferdinand-v-mgn-ltd.pdf |date=28 May 2012 |title=legal ruling in privacy case}}

{{Navboxes
| title       = England squads
| bg          = white
| fg          = #CF081F
| bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| list1       =
{{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{2001–02 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2004–05 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2006–07 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2007–08 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2008–09 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2012–13 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{West Ham United F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Leeds United A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
{{Premier League Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferdinand, Rio}}
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