Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has revealed the devastating long-term consequences of his professional football career, with the former defender now sometimes requiring a wheelchair due to crippling back injuries. The 47-year-old England legend opened up about his physical struggles in a candid interview, detailing how the toll of his playing days continues to impact his life over a decade after retirement.
From Premier League Glory to Wheelchair Dependency
Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and 14 major honours during his illustrious career, confessed to Men's Health UK that he has endured a "bad back for a long time" stemming from football injuries. "I've got injuries that I had from my career," Ferdinand explained. "I was on tablets and injections for six years to play games. That's affected me."
The former centre-back described sudden, severe episodes where "I get some bad moments of back pain where I have to be in a hospital for a couple of days or in a wheelchair for a couple of days. It's mad, but it just comes out of nowhere."
A New Holistic Approach in Dubai
Now living in Dubai with his wife Kate and family, Ferdinand has adopted what he calls a "holistic approach" to managing his health. "I've been seeing a physio for the first time since I retired," he disclosed. "He's been doing loads of manipulations and whatnot, and within his building there's also my personal trainer, so he feeds him information about my training."
Ferdinand emphasized the importance of prevention rather than reaction: "Rather than fixing when it's broken, you actually prevent [injuries]. I know my sh*t now. But I'm 47 years old. It took me all that time." He described the family's move to Dubai as a new "adventure" that offers a different lifestyle from his football-governed years in Manchester.
Setting an Example for His Children
Despite his physical challenges, Ferdinand remains committed to demonstrating a strong work ethic for his children. "I've got kids that need to see a work ethic," he stated. "My kids need to see me getting up and going to work. They need to see me and [my wife] Kate going to the gym. I want them to have a healthy lifestyle and to think that going to the gym or just moving is the norm."
He added: "And I'm not about telling my kids that; they need to see it. But also, if I'm being honest, I have to go to work for my mental sanity as well. I like work; my mum and dad worked. They were grafters. That's all I've known."
Embracing New Challenges Beyond Football
Ferdinand has transitioned from his punditry role at TNT Sports to launching his own YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents. "I like being tested. I like pressure," he said. "I had it fine at TNT. I could have signed a new contract at TNT. Easily. But that ain't who I am really."
He explained his motivation: "It's time for something new because I saw the new world is that linear TV and live football are always going to be there. But there's also another world outside the 90 minutes that intrigues me, which I look at like a fan. So I want to know what these guys are eating, how do they sleep, how do they recover? I want to get the public closer to that and I want to be at the forefront of that."
Legacy Beyond the Pitch
Reflecting on how he wants to be remembered, Ferdinand said: "[I want to be remembered] as someone who worked hard and has been successful in multiple sectors. Whether it's my [Rio Ferdinand] Foundation, which has been going for 15 years, helping underprivileged kids, or whether it's my [Rio Ferdinand Presents] media company or other successful businesses that I've got."
He concluded: "I just want to be someone who is a doer...who ain't scared of change or failure. Who always stood up for the right things when need be. And if I can inspire other people doing that type of stuff, then it's like, 'Okay, I've done all right.'"
