Rio Ferdinand shows Real Madrid ultimate respect with classy act as Man Utd legend soaks up ‘best stadium in the world’
RIO FERDINAND showed “respect” as he avoided stepping on Real Madrid’s badge.
The former Manchester United star, 45, was at the Santiago Bernabeu for Real’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
Ahead of his punditry duties for TNT Sports, Ferdinand walked out of the tunnel to get a look at the pitch.
As he did so, he took extra care not to stomp all over Real’s badge, which sat pitchside.
He subsequently posted a clip to social media, writing: “Respect the badge.”
Ferdinand then giddily added: “Ps best stadium in the world right now!”
Some sections of the iconic Bernabeu remain closed as they continue their huge renovation.
Real Madrid spent the 2020-21 season playing at their Valdebebas training facility while initial work was done.
The completed ground was due to be opened five months ago, but has now been pushed back to the summer.
Real’s renovation work will see their Santiago Bernabeu home house a capacity of 85,000 fans, up from 81,000.
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It will also boast new restaurants, bars and a space dedicated for e-sports.
And among the latest features are a retractable roof and pitch as well as a new 450-space car park underneath.
While Real Madrid chiefs initially claimed the total cost of the renovation would be just over £860million, Spanish economist Hector Mohedano has worked out that it will actually come to around £1.5bn.
Ferdinand and his fellow TNT Sports pundits will have gone into tonight’s game hoping to see a great show from the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane.
The two sides went into tonight’s second leg locked at 2-2 from the first contest in Germany a week ago.
Real Madrid had taken the lead through Vinicius Jr, before goals by Leroy Sane and Kane turned the tie around.
Vinicius Jr then equalised from the penalty spot to set up a mouthwatering second leg.
Top 10 biggest football stadiums in the world
- Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, North Korea (114,000)
- Camp Nou, Spain (99,354)
- FNB Stadium, South Africa (94,736)
- New Administrative Capital Stadium, Egypt (93,940)
- Wembley Stadium, England (90,000)
- Lusail Stadium, Qatar (88,966)
- Estadio Azteca, Mexico (87,525)
- Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia (87,411)
- Borg El-Arab Stadium, Egypt (86,000)
- Santiago Bernabeu, Spain (85,000)