Rio Ferdinand says Sergio Busquets made him feel like a ‘Conference player’ in Barcelona’s 2-1 Champions League final victory over Manchester United at Wembley in 2011 as the midfielder impresses for Spain
- Sergio Busquets impressed for Spain in their semi-final clash with Italy
- His performance reminded Rio Ferdinand of the 2011 Champions League final
- Busquets and Barcelona beat Ferdinand’s Manchester United 3-1 on the day
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Sergio Busquets left him ‘feeling like a Conference player’ in Barcelona‘s 2-1 Champions League final triumph over Manchester United in 2011.
The Barcelona midfielder has impressed for Spain throughout the European Championships.
His first-half performance in the semi-final against Italy, reminded Ferdinand of the day he went up against Busquets at Wembley.
Sergio Busquets produced a commanding display in Spain’s Euro 2020 clash with Italy
The Spaniard’s performance reminded Rio Ferdinand of the 2011 Champions League final
Providing half-time analysis for the BBC of the Euro 2020 semi-final at the same stadium, Ferdinand: ‘It was here at Wembley, and we got abused in that game by Barcelona, they were brilliant.
‘So your confidence is low and I was trying to get the ball back from him [Busquets] at a throw-in and he just said ‘ah Ferdinand, Vidic, boom, boom, boom’ [imitating passes]. I felt like a Conference player.’
On the Spaniard’s performance against Italy, Ferdinand said: ‘He has bossed this game and he’s a fabulous player to watch.’
Busquets and Barcelona ran riot clinching a 3-1 final victory against Manchester United
United struggled against Barcelona in the final, two years after they lost to the Catalan club in the final in Rome.
Pedro fired Barcelona ahead only for Wayne Rooney to equalise on the half-hour mark.
Lionel Messi then made it 2-1 before David Villa added a third to seal the trophy for one of the greatest club sides of all time.
Busquets has been a regular for Barcelona ever since, making 629 appearances for the club since 2008.
