Rio Ferdinand believes he played a minor role in shaping the trend of ball-playing centre-backs that has become the norm in the Premier League.
Ferdinand has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, becoming the 17th player to achieve the highest honour of the competition. The former Manchester United centre-back has been honoured after a public vote saw him picked out of a 15-man shortlist.
He is the first player in 2023 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with two more set to be announced later on Wednesday. The 44-year-old has been given a medallion with his name engraved onto it and the Premier League will make a £10,000 donation to a charity of his choice.