‘It’s out of order’ – Rio Ferdinand hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo criticism after his money-making Saudi transfer

Rio Ferdinand has come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo following criticism over the Portuguese star’s move to Saudi side Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo signed a £175m-a-year contract with the Saudi side, ending a superb career in European football.

But the move drew criticism from voices within football, including former team-mate Gary Neville and fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who said the move triggered the end of Ronaldo playing at the top. level.

Ferdinand has often expressed his support for Ronaldo and once again stood by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to hit back at Neville and Carragher’s claims.

“It was great to see David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, it was great to see them go to America,” Ferdinand told his Vibe with FIVE podcast.

“What a way to end their career, to make a lot of money, to go to a league that’s not as competitive, they’ve earned it, they’ve earned the right.

“That’s all I’ve seen in the media. But because it’s Saudi Arabia, it’s a shame, it’s sad. Let a man go and live, let a man go and enjoy. It’s a new adventure. He takes his family to discover a new culture.

He continued, “Every country in the world has its problems, so America has fewer problems than Saudi Arabia, right? But it’s good for all these players to go to America. Let them go to the United States and have a swansong year and let it go.

” I do not like it. It stinks that we don’t hear this kind of talk. It’s out of order.

“Everyone should be treated the same. Every other player who went to a less competitive league to end their career was told you earned the right. No man on the planet would have earned more right than this guy.

Ronaldo’s deal sees him become the highest-paid player in world football on his two-year contract.

He has also taken on an ambassadorial role and will be at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s joint bid with Egypt and Greece to clinch the 2030 World Cup.