Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jordan Henderson shouldn’t be convicted for becoming a member of the Saudi Pro League, Rio Ferdinand insisted forward of Arsenal’s Premier League conflict with Nottingham Forest.
The former Manchester United defender admitted he’s ‘angry’ that gamers are being vilified for going to Saudi Arabia for profitable offers, whereas superstars like Lionel Messi and David Beckham have prevented the identical degree of scrutiny following their transfer to MLS in America.
Several Premier League gamers, together with N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Kalidou Koulibaly, have joined Henderson within the transfer to the Middle East, with the ex-Liverpool captain taking a £700,000-a-week contract with Al-Ettifaq .
But Ferdinand, who acted as a pundit alongside Joe Cole on TNT Sports’ debut Premier League broadcast, insisted that gamers’ selections shouldn’t come below fireplace.
“It makes me angry that you see some comments about football players’ decisions, you can’t say it’s a rule for one of them here and one of them there,” he stated.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been closely criticized after his gorgeous transfer to Saudi Arabia
Rio Ferdinand puzzled why Lionel Messi’s transfer to MLS was not so extensively condemned
“When Cristiano went to America, there was negativity. I didn’t hear any negative comments about David Beckham going to America or Messi going to America, but you get a lot of negative media when it’s Saudi Arabia.”
“There are problems all over the world and to say this wholeheartedly is the wrong thing to do and to hold the players as the yardstick is unfair.”
Cole provides a unique perspective on the matter, including: “It’s no secret we have to protect football, it’s a meritocracy so anyone can come.
“Things like Leicester winning the league, these are the stories that underlie the game.
Messi (left) signed a £466,000-a-week contract with David Beckham’s Inter Miami this summer
“You can’t buy history and that’s what people love about football.”
Messi signed a £466,000-a-week take care of Beckham’s Inter Miami this summer time after turning down a number of provides from Saudi Arabian outfits.
Since Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January, a number of high-profile stars have joined the league, together with Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez.
TNT Sports have been compelled to increase pre-match protection of Saturday’s early kick-off as a glitch within the Emirates’ new digital ticketing system delayed the beginning of the match by greater than half-hour.