Rio Ferdinand was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame on Wednesday after missing out on the 2021 and 2022 editions.
In the Premier League Hall of Fame, the Manchester United icon joins Manchester United icons like Roy Keane, Cantona, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, and Peter Schmeichel. Rio Ferdinand made over 500 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, QPR, West Ham, and Leeds United. The former England defender won six Premier League titles.
Ferdinand played against one of the best players in history during his playing days for his club and National team. Asked about the toughest player he faced among the Premier League Hall of Fame inductees, he named Arsenal and Dutch icon Dennis Bergkamp as the toughest he faced.
Who did Rio Ferdinand say is the toughest player he faced among the Premier League Hall of Fame members?
Rio Ferdinand revealed: “Dennis Bergkamp was one of my hardest opponents. I played against him when I was quite inexperienced and young. He caused me all sorts of problems. He was a nightmare!”
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Dennis Bergkamp won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and was part of Arsenal’s invincible squad in 2004. He scored 87 goals and provided 81 assists in 315 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Rio Ferdinand also said he would have loved to play alongside the Arsenal icon and Premier League Hall of Fame inductee Patrick Viera.
He added: “Patrick Vieira was like two players on the pitch.
“He was so big and gangly, you tried to play the ball through, and he’d always intercept it. A great character with a bit of fire in there as well. You knew if you wanted a result in a big game, he’d turn up.”
Reacting to his induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame, he said: “As a defender, I’m not used to celebrating personal glory – we leave that to the midfielders and strikers!’ the former England international said.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized by my peers as well as the fans. To be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame alongside such a high caliber of players and to be able to say that I achieved my dream is special.
“When you start your career, you never dream of how well things could turn out. The Premier League is the holy grail, and I just can’t believe I made it.”
