Ferdinand feeling 'cursed'

Agent reveals World Cup woe of crocked England captain

Last updated: 5th June 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ferdinand feeling 'cursed'

Ferdinand: Feels cursed

Rio said: 'I think somebody cursed me.' That is honestly how he feels.

Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi.
Quotes of the week

Rio Ferdinand considered himself 'cursed' after a knee ligament injury ruled the England captain out of the World Cup, his agent has revealed.

The 31-year-old was injured in a collision with Emile Heskey in England's first training session in Rustenburg and he was ruled out for up to six weeks following a scan.

It follows an injury-blighted season in which he was restricted to just 13 Premier League games for Manchester United with a debilitating back problem.

Agent Pini Zahavi revealed the central defender's devastation at missing out in South Africa but backed Ferdinand to lead England in the 2014 World Cup.

Zahavi told The Sun: "Rio said: 'I think somebody cursed me.' That is honestly how he feels.

"Rio is very down. He cannot understand why this has happened to him."

Very bad luck

Zahavi added: "This injury is nothing to do with the ones he had before.

"It is completely different and it is very bad luck.

"Rio was feeling sharp and was ready for the World Cup.

"He has waited so long for this tournament and to try and help England win it. He had prepared himself so well.

"But he is a very strong man and he will be back.

"I'm sure he will be leading England in four years time at the next World Cup."

Comments (11)

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Kristopher Walker (Manchester City fan) says...

I'm sorry for Rio but I believe that this is a blessing in disguise as now a real captain (Gerrard) can lead us to World Cup Glory. I was never convinced with Rio's suitability to be captain or even to be selected due to his Injury ravaged season. I like Dawson, I think he should have be going anyway in the place of King because he is another one who could pull up! I think he's only trained twice!

Posted 12:24 5th June 2010

Arnold Brown (Aston Villa fan) says...

He wasnt that important for England anyway not a great loss and Italy won the last World Cup without their captain Nesta who was injured and Cannavarro went on to lift the trophy.

Posted 12:21 5th June 2010

Neil Triphook (West Ham United fan) says...

So how are we left ? Matty Upson who,s form for my team has hardly been electrifying Ledley King who has fitness problems and looked shaky against Mexico Dawson who has been in great form for Spurs but can he do it at the top level ? Oh and a big thanks to Heskey not only can he not score but he apparently cannot tackle too ! But i have to question Capello who has the guys training immediately after a 12 hour flight ! Personally i feel a 24 hour break after the journey was essential , time was plenty Good Luck ? We,re gonna need bundles

Posted 11:43 5th June 2010

Stu Watts (Southampton fan) says...

Yes Rio. You are cursed. £120k a week while the country rots in recession. life must be so tragic for you.

Posted 11:35 5th June 2010

Ali Hewitt (Newcastle United fan) says...

Rio's injury is a blow but I think if Ledley King can stay fit he is as good as Ferdinand, we also have Carragher in the squad who is very capable of stepping in. Centre back is probably England's strongest position in terms of strength in depth had Rooney, Ashley Cole or Barry not made it, then I would be worried because the players who would have to step in aren't good enough at international level. Unfortunately I think this was Rio's last chance at playing world cup football, I'd like to think players like Gary Cahill, Smalling, Steven Taylor and Jones at Blackburn will progress and be playing for England in four years time.

Posted 11:33 5th June 2010

Ian Watson says...

Really sorry for Rio he must be devastated. However life goes on and i'm sure Englands chances are not affected by losing Rio. Ledley King is a more than able replacement alongside Terry and Dawsons inclusion in no way weakens the squad. I still feel that we are among about 6 nations with a chance of winning the world cup.

Posted 11:27 5th June 2010

Gordon Knight says...

this world cup becomes more of a joke every day, Ferdinand has played very little football all season, and our wonderful manager said he would not take any players who were not fit. Rio is the first to break down without a game under his belt. who is next? Rooney is not fit, and it showed in the games he has played,King, just back from injury, Barry the same and there are a few who are not 100% fit. Watch out for the teams who will make sure these players don't stay the distance. its about time we had a british manager who knows our game and there are lots of players in lower divisions who would wear the English shirt with pride, like they did in my era. Why is it that everyone can see what a wonderful season Joe Hart has had at blues, and he is the number 3 choice, what a joke, and i am not a blues or man city supporter. David James has been a good keeper, but lets play the in form players. , and football is a team game not an individual game, so lets have a regular squad of players that can train together at least twice a week together, I'm sure clubs would oblige. I hope I'm wrong, but looks like we are going down the same road again. Lets have a manager who is not a yes man, and british, like Brian Clough

Posted 11:13 5th June 2010

Mark Best (Gillingham fan) says...

Curse!! - yeah the curse of England training methods - at least Drogba got injured in a competitive friendly! - why do they have full contact training sessions so close any tournament - Dean Aston's career was effectively ended in another World Cup traiing session - surely you can train hard, close down players, but have a ban on tackling Fabio!!

Posted 10:28 5th June 2010

Franco D (Juventus fan) says...

CURSED??? on over 100k a week for playing football. We should all be so cursed. I love footy and understand a pro missing a world cup is hard to take, but lets keep things in perspective.Most footballers have absolutely no value attached to what they do.Big kids,especially the ferdinands,coles and terrys of this world. Grow up

Posted 10:09 5th June 2010

James Mcintosh (Liverpool fan) says...

Whats all the fuss about Rio missing out. Yes it is sad from a personal point of view but it was only 4 days ago that most people including the media didnt think he was worthy of making the final squad. Person views aside his form for United and England has been very very poor of late and his last match at wembly was a shocker. The team will be better off without him

Posted 09:58 5th June 2010

Graeme Pattison (Sunderland fan) says...

Unlucky for Rio but a blessing in disguise for England. Has struggled all season with injury and when he has played he's been awful. The world cup is not a platform to try and regain your form.

Posted 09:45 5th June 2010
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