Rio Ferdinand was not happy to see Sergio Aguero after Manchester City beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League on Saturday night.
Ferdinand was inside the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul working as a pundit for BT Sport. The former Manchester United defender was full of praise for Pep Guardiola’s side after they ground out a 1-0 win over their stubborn Italian opponents.
The victory meant City matched the historic achievement of United back in 1999, by winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season. As a former United player, it was a difficult thing to witness for Ferdinand, who then had to come face-to-face with another reminder of his past.
Aguero famously scored the crucial goal which sealed City’s first Premier League title back in 2011/12. His last-gasp winner against QPR snatched the title away from United, who were left heartbroken.
The City legend was in Istanbul to watch his former side and appeared on BT Sport’s post-match coverage to discuss their win. His presence was not appreciated by Ferdinand, who was confronted with those painful memories from May 13, 2012.
“I don’t even want to be here now, I’ve got to be honest with you,” Ferdinand said after presenter Jake Humphrey introduced him to the audience.
“This guy broke my heart, man, broke my heart. I can’t even look at him right now.”
Aguero then asked “Are you OK?” Ferdinand responded by saying “I’ll strangle you!” as he lent over and jokingly pretended to do so. “I’m sorry bro!” Aguero replied as pundits Mario Balotelli, Cesc Fabregas and Joleon Lescott burst into laughter.
Aguero then shared an embrace with City match-winner Rodri as Ferdinand continued. “He’s like a mascot now, isn’t he?”
The former City striker was then asked how he felt. “First I am so happy because, for me, I love City,” he replied. “That moment, the last Champions League we lose, I am so happy that finally it is Man City’s.”
Aguero then retreated into his native tongue of Spanish, with Fabregas translating his thoughts. “He feels very proud about being here because he is one of the players that started off everything and he feels just privileged about the whole process,” he explained.
“He gets emotional to remember the whole thing. Two years ago they lost the final, they were disappointed, they bounced back and they’re here again finally winning it. It shows the whole process was worth it.”
After Aguero left, his former City team-mate Balotelli joked: “He lived for 14 years in England and he still doesn’t speak English, it’s unbelievable!”
Humphrey also had to apologise to viewers after Rodri declared Aguero “a f***ing legend” live on air. It was not the only swear word of the evening’s broadcast, with Rodri and Pep Guardiola expressing their feelings with expletives during their post-match interviews.
