Rio Ferdinand Opens Up About Life After Football: Navigating Health and New Ventures

omidbasir- Rio Ferdinand has revealed the extent of his physical challenges since retiring from professional football in 2015, where he enjoyed a celebrated career as a six-time Premier League champion and a holder of a Champions League winners’ medal. Although the former England captain remains a notable figure in media, he has opened up about a private struggle with debilitating back pain that can occur unexpectedly. In an interview with Men’s Health UK, Ferdinand detailed the severity of these flare-ups, which leave him immobilized and in need of urgent medical attention.

“I’ve had a bad back for a long time,” he explained. “I’ve got injuries from my career… I relied on tablets and injections for six years just to play. This has definitely taken a toll on me. There are times when the pain is so intense that I need hospital care or find myself in a wheelchair for days. It’s quite alarming how it can hit me out of nowhere. Since relocating to Dubai, I’ve started seeing a physiotherapist for the first time since retiring. He has been employing various manipulations, and my personal trainer collaborates closely with him regarding my training. We’re taking a holistic approach, aiming to prevent injuries rather than just fixing them when they occur.”

Despite the physical demands of his past career, Ferdinand is determined to remain active. He emphasizes that his commitment to the gym and work is not just about personal fitness; it’s also about setting a rigorous example for his family. He believes maintaining a strong work ethic is crucial for his children to understand that success and health require effort.

“I have kids who need to see a solid work ethic in action,” he stated. “They need to witness both me and my wife, Kate, prioritizing the gym. I want them to embrace a healthy lifestyle and see physical activity as a norm. It’s important they observe this; it goes beyond mere words. Additionally, for my own mental well-being, I need to stay active. I enjoy working, and it’s been part of my upbringing—my parents were hardworking individuals. When my children speak of me, I want them to remember not just that ‘Daddy loves me’ but also that ‘Daddy worked hard and was a hustler.'”

Ferdinand’s new fitness regimen coincides with his recent move to the Middle East, marking a significant lifestyle transition for his family as they leave the UK for Dubai. He describes this change as an adventure, allowing him to break free from the rigid schedule that governed his life as a player and later as a broadcaster.

“I view this as a unique adventure,” said the 47-year-old. “My life has been dictated by football fixtures, and even post-career, I was tied to a broadcaster’s schedule. Opportunities for significant changes like this are rare in life, and I wanted to embrace the chance to explore something new.”

The shift also extends to his professional life, as Ferdinand recently announced his departure from TNT Sports. Although he could have easily extended his contract, he chose to leave due to the broadcaster’s lack of receptiveness to his ideas for evolving their coverage. He is now focusing on developing his digital platform, which allows him to delve into the aspects of football that often go unnoticed in traditional media.

“I thrive on being challenged and under pressure,” he noted. “I had a comfortable position at TNT and could have easily signed a new contract. But that’s not who I am. It’s time for new challenges. I’ve been eager to explore a different angle within the broadcasting team, but they weren’t as open to my ideas as I had hoped. So, I decided to move on and see how I fare independently. I recognize there’s a wider world beyond the 90 minutes of football that intrigues me. I want to connect the public with what players experience off the pitch, including their nutrition, sleep, and recovery. This is a passion of mine, and I want to lead in that space. But ultimately, I’m just being myself and following my own path.”