Rio Ferdinand's Reluctance to Leave Dubai Despite Wife's Homesickness
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand seems increasingly resistant to the idea of returning to the United Kingdom, even as his wife Kate has publicly confessed to struggling with homesickness while living in Dubai. The 47-year-old football pundit relocated part of his family to the United Arab Emirates city following the conclusion of his broadcasting role with TNT Sports.
Kate Ferdinand's Emotional Struggle in Dubai
Kate Ferdinand, who married Rio in 2019 after his first wife Rebecca Ellison passed away from breast cancer, recently broke down in tears during an episode of her Blended podcast. She admitted experiencing significant difficulty being separated from her friends and family in London, as well as Rio's two eldest sons who remained in the UK.
"I feel like we've opened our eyes to a different world," Kate explained. "But I love London, I love the UK. I love so many things about the UK. I do feel happy in Dubai, but I'm just missing a part of me."
The couple moved to Dubai with their five-year-old son Cree, two-year-old daughter Shae, and Rio's 14-year-old daughter Tia from his first marriage. However, Rio's older sons Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, chose to stay in Britain to pursue their football careers with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Ferdinand's Strong Ties to Dubai Lifestyle
Despite his wife's emotional challenges, Rio Ferdinand has established substantial roots in Dubai that make a return to the UK appear improbable. The former England captain has invested in a luxurious £6 million mansion within the low-tax jurisdiction and has made several financial investments across the United Arab Emirates.
Ferdinand has particularly praised Dubai's education system, telling The National newspaper: "The education system felt different, felt better for my kids. The children who are coming are 14, which is perfect because it's their two years of GCSEs starting this August. Then we've got a four and a two-year-old, so it's perfect timing for them as well."
He further contrasted this with his perception of the UK system, noting: "I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid."
Professional and Financial Considerations
The ex-footballer has also embraced his distance from the relentless football calendar that dominated his life as both player and pundit. Additionally, Ferdinand has invested in the Middle Eastern sports platform Koora Break, which reportedly attracts approximately 800 million visitors monthly.
When questioned about this investment during a Bloomberg TV interview in November, Ferdinand remarked: "Everyone was saying, 'Well what are you doing?' It's just a fast growing place. We've seen with all of the investment that's going, in terms of media, football, sport in general. It's crazy the growth there."
Taxation Concerns and Political Views
Financial considerations appear to play a significant role in Ferdinand's reluctance to return. His move to Dubai preceded recent tax increases in the UK affecting businesses, capital gains, inheritance, and VAT on private schools. The former footballer has expressed skepticism about how tax revenue is utilized by the British government.
Speaking to LBC in November, Ferdinand stated: "If things like the health service, for example, was absolutely flying and working perfectly well then I think people wouldn't mind paying tax. But when there's things that are falling apart and going wrong in the country, then I sit there and go, 'we pay towards tax and is it really going towards the things that are actually benefiting the people that live here?'"
With his substantial investments, appreciation for Dubai's educational offerings, and concerns about UK taxation, Rio Ferdinand's ties to the Middle Eastern city continue to strengthen despite his wife's heartfelt longing for their previous life in London.
