Rio Ferdinand: He didn’t do it
in a specific way, he just named the team and obviously because Gary
[Neville] and [Ryan] Giggs weren’t playing, I was the captain. It was
as simple as that really. But it’s funny, I didn’t think about the
significance of potentially picking up the trophy until we won the
game and someone came to me saying: ‘You have to get the team over to
the stairs’. It was then the significance hit me, and it was quite an
emotional moment. There’s certainly been no prouder moment in my
career.
Does captaincy change the way
you play?
Not really. There’s more
responsibility obviously, but if you’re given the captain’s armband
and you change the way you play dramatically, it will take away from
the performances which won you the captaincy. If you are handed the
captain’s armband, it’s because the manager thinks that you’re playing
as a leader, so you’re better off continuing with the way you usually
play.
The job must be easier for
United and England because you’re in a team surrounded with leaders.
That’s true, because those
players have a desire and a hunger to win. United have a very vocal
squad and that’s coming with England now too. I think it’s important
for a successful side.
Obviously you lifted the trophy
with Giggs, who scored the winning penalty, but who was next in line?
It was me! All the time I was
focused on where I was going to put the ball and mentally running
through the scenario in my head. But in the end, I didn’t have to. I
was very nervous I can tell you, but also very grateful to Edwin [van
der Sar] for saving the last one.
Do you get nervous before big
games such as these?
The last time I got nervous
before a big match, or when I allowed the occasion to get the better
of me, was probably the Brazil-England game in Japan at the 2002 World
Cup. If I’m able to have a good build-up to the game and keep to a
particular routine, I don’t tend to get nervous.
You mentioned Japan there-
you’ll be heading back there next month. What are your memories of
going there as a footballer?
I love going to Japan. I think
it’s a fantastic country. It’s very diverse with great people who are
very enthusiastic about football. The stadiums are fantastic with
excellent facilities. I did reasonably well there with England in 2002
and it was because of my performances there that I managed to seal my
move to Manchester United. I’m sure when I look back on my career,
I’ll always remember Japan fondly.
What was your favourite memory
from the 2002 FIFA World Cup?
Probably the goal I scored
against Denmark in the Round of 16. We played extremely well in the
match and to score my first England goal at a World Cup was a
fantastic moment.
Six years later, you’re heading
back for the FIFA Club World Cup - has 2008 been your best as a
professional footballer?
In terms of success, definitely.
It doesn’t get much better than winning the league and Champions
League double. Now we’re looking at being the champions of the world.
It would be great to start the season with another trophy under our
belts. We’re desperate to win it and that’s what I hope we’re going to
do.
How much do you know about the
other teams in the tournament?
Not much, but the manager’s
working already on that. By the time we head out there, we’ll be well
prepared.
How do you think you’ve improved
since you’ve been at Manchester United?
I think there has been a steady
improvement to be honest. In the first season we won the league, but
if I am being honest, I didn’t feel as though I was a key member of
the team. I played every game, but I feel as though I just got through
them, with little in the way of responsibility. I think every year
since then, I’ve been progressing in that sense.
You began your career as a
midfielder. How difficult was it to push back into defence?
It wasn’t too bad. When I was 14
or 15, my manager asked me if I wouldn’t mind playing centre-half for
the day. I did and I haven’t looked back since. When I was a bit
younger I used to be put back in midfield or even up front to try and
get a goal, but not now!
You are actually scoring a bit
more regularly now. What do you put that down to?
In the past, when I used to go
up for set pieces, I used to think ‘Oh well, let’s just see what
happens’, but now I’m a bit more focused. I know where I’m going to
run and where I can be a bit more dangerous.
So, emergency striker,
midfielder and defender, but you also played in goal in January during
an FA Cup tie with Manchester United after Tomasz Kuszczak had been
sent off - what was that like?
I wouldn’t want to play there
ever again. It’s the loneliest position on the pitch. I don’t know how
goalkeepers do it. You’re all alone, you don’t get to see or touch the
ball for long periods and then you’re called upon to make great saves
which can change games. It’s horrible.
Who is your hero either inside
or outside of sport?
Inside of sport, I’d have to say
Roger Federer for the way he has dominated tennis, with grace, focus
and style. It’s something to admire, because as a sportsman, I know
how hard that is to do week in, week out. Outside of sport, it would
be Nelson Mandela for all he’s achieved. He’s devoted his life to his
nation.
The next FIFA World Cup is in
his country. How much are you looking forward to the prospect of
playing there?
It would be great if Nelson
Mandela was the person who handed us the World Cup. There’s no better
man in the world to do that and that’s something to work towards, but
there is a very long way to go yet.
