Rio Ferdinand reveals why he wants Jadon Sancho to win the Champions League final against Real Madrid... as the Dortmund star prepares to lock horns with 'extraordinary' former team-mate Jude Bellingham

dailymail.co.uk [1] 0 تعليق 4 ارسل طباعة تبليغ حذف

Rio Ferdinand has declared that he would be delighted to see Jadon Sancho's redemption arc at Borussia Dortmund end in glorious fashion by lifting the Champions League trophy on Saturday.

Sancho is currently on loan at Dortmund from Manchester United, and the German giants are major underdogs in this year's Champions League final on TNT SportsEdin Terzic's are up against 14-time winners Real Madrid, who have won their last eight European Cup finals, at Wembley on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has looked like himself again while back in the yellow of Dortmund, putting in a dazzling display in the first leg of their semi-final tie against PSG as they went on to secure a place in the final for the first time in 11 years. 

And while Madrid are huge favourites to lift the trophy once again, Ferdinand, who won the competition with Manchester United in 2008, revealed to Mail Sport that he is in Sancho's corner this weekend due to the struggles he has had.

'I'd love Jadon to win it for that reason [the difficulty he had at Manchester United],' said Ferdinand. 

Jadon Sancho has rediscovered his form since moving back to Borussia Dortmund on loan

Jadon Sancho has rediscovered his form since moving back to Borussia Dortmund on loan

Jadon Sancho has rediscovered his form since moving back to Borussia Dortmund on loan 

Rio Ferdinand, 45,  spoke to Mail Sport at TNT Sports Champions League final preview event

Rio Ferdinand, 45,  spoke to Mail Sport at TNT Sports Champions League final preview event

Jadon Sancho will face Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid in the final on Saturday

Bellingham's first Champions League final will be against his former side

Sancho's Borussia Dortmund face Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid in the final at Wembley on Saturday

The 45-year-old isn't concerned about either side winning the competition, but believes Sancho's story would be great for young footballers to take inspiration from. 

Read More

How Jadon Sancho got his swagger back: United outcast is a hero at Dortmund where he's a dressing room DJ, a gym junkie and his No 10 shirt flies off the shelves

article image

'I don't really care about Dortmund, I don't care who wins this, really, if I'm honest. But for someone like Jadon, it'd be great for young people to see people that can go through a little bit of downturn in confidence.

'Have to change environment, club, etc, be vilified at times, be on the receiving end of bit criticism, but then come out the other end and produce some performances. Get to a place where actually, I can be successful over here now. 

'And it just shows that if you've got that resilience and that character and that support, then anything is possible. But listen, he's playing against Real Madrid. It will be very difficult.'

Sancho is not the only Englishman that will be taking to the Wembley turf when the clock strikes 8pm on Saturday night. 

Standing the other side of the tunnel will be Sancho's former team-mate, Jude Bellingham, who has been taking in by the Madrid faithful as one of their own since leaving Dortmund last summer.

Ferdinand cited Sancho's struggles at Manchester United for why he wants Sancho to win

Ferdinand cited Sancho's struggles at Manchester United for why he wants Sancho to win

From friends to enemies: Sancho and Bellingham used to play with each other at Dortmund

From friends to enemies: Sancho and Bellingham used to play with each other at Dortmund

Bellingham has shone brightly in his first season in Spain, and while the Dortmund players already knew the brilliance of Bellingham, some Los Blancos legends are still stunned at how special the midfielder has been.

Ferdinand, speaking at TNT Sports' Champions League final preview event, shared what some of the former Galacticos have been telling him about Bellingham. 

'Well, I've spoken to Claude Makelele, to Roberto Carlos, to Zinedine Zidane. I've spoke to loads of people who played at Real Madrid, and they all said [they] can't believe what they're seeing. Christian Karembeu as well. 

'They can't fathom a player going in and doing that, let alone a player of Jude's age and inexperience, really, at that level, to do what he's done. None of the players, [Karim] Benzema, none of them we've seen come in and do what he's done.

Several former Real Madrid players have lauded Bellingham for his impact at Los Blancos

Several former Real Madrid players have lauded Bellingham for his impact at Los Blancos 

'Ronaldo's maybe got the closest in terms of goals and stuff, but the impact has been phenomenal. Nothing short of extraordinary. 

'Also you see the way that the current players are talking about him. I watched an interview with Modric the other day. I'm like, Modric is talking about him like this guy has been heaven sent, almost to come and play there. 

'So, it's it'll be capped off if they win the Champions League.'

Watch the UEFA Champions League Final exclusively live on TNT Sports and for free on discovery+ by signing up here

اخلاء مسئولية! : هذا المحتوى لم يتم انشائة او استضافته بواسطة موقع اخبار الكورة و اي مسؤلية قانونية تقع على عاتق الموقع مصدر الخبر : dailymail.co.uk [1] , يتم جمع الاخبار عن طريق خدمة ال RSS المتاحة مجانا للجمهور من المصدر : dailymail.co.uk [1] مع الحفظ على حقوق الملكية الخاصة بمصدر الخبر.

أخبار ذات صلة

0 تعليق