Rio Ferdinand: I ‘got emotional’ when I met Baggio – video

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 7:25 AM ET

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand admits he ‘got emotional’ when he bumped into Roberto Baggio last week: ‘It was too much…’

Former England international Ferdinand was in Italy last week, when he attended the Derby della Madonnina between Inter and Milan at San Siro.

Rio Ferdinand ‘got emotional’ when meeting Baggio

During his trip to the country, Ferdinand met with one of the most popular Italian football legends, Roberto Baggio, and the encounter really struck with the ex-defender.

“I’ve met all the best players, from my generation and the generation before. I saw Roberto Baggio, and I don’t know what happened, but I got emotional,” Ferdinand said in one of his latest videos.

“There was a little watering of the eyes because it took me back to when I was a kid.

Rio Ferdinand ‘begged Baggio’ to join his podcast

Italian former football player Roberto Baggio (R) and Argentine-born Italian former football player, David Trezeguet (L) gesture before the beginning of the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Alejandro PAGNI / AFP) (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP via Getty Images)

“One of the most revered, loved people where I am from. I don’t know why. I asked him to come on the pod, I begged him.

“I don’t think he even realises how much he’s loved by people like me, my generation. It was emotional, it was too much, it was mad.”

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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