By Seyi Babalola
Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, has said that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe can never be like Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ferdinand played with Ronaldo during his first tenure at Manchester United before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.
Ronaldo had a brilliant career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, earning five Ballon d’Or honours.
Speaking as a guest on The Mo Show, Ferdinand spoke about what set Ronaldo apart from Vinicius and Mbappe in today’s game.
The Englishman highlighted how Ronaldo managed to have two different Ballon d’Or-winning careers in one and playing in two different positions, something he believes Vinicius and Mbappe cannot do.
“Cristiano was Cristiano. He was from another planet, like, never seen anything like it and don’t think we ever will. I don’t know if there is any player that I know that is ever had two world-class careers in one. So when he was at United, he was an entertainer and then he became a goalscorer as well at Man United. He was world-class there, a Ballon d’Or winner and a winger,” Ferdinand said.
“Then he went to Real Madrid and became a number nine and was world-class and was winning matches all on his own. That is two careers in one, and both of them have been world-class and he won Ballon d’Ors in different ways.
“Vinicius is not doing it, he is not going to be a left winger and then a number nine, it is not going to happen. Mbappe has not done it. When you think about it like that, it’s crazy.”