Rio Ferdinand makes feelings clear about Cristiano Ronaldo after bicycle kick goal against Poland

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has labeled Cristiano Ronaldo as an the GOAT (greatest of all time) after the Portuguese icon scored via a sensational bicycle kick against Poland. He was replying to Fabrizio Romano's tweet about the overhead kick from the Al Nassr superstar when he made the comment.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Ferdinand hailed his former teammate for the goal on Friday, November 15. He sent out a wordless tweet in reply to the Italian journalist, posting with an alien and a goat emoji.

Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media after the match and admitted that he was close to retirement. He hinted that it could be in the next one or two years and said (via football.london):

"I just want to enjoy. The plan for retirement? If it has to happen, in one or two years... I don't know. I'm turning 40 soon... I really want to enjoy, as long as I feel motivated I keep going. The day I don't feel motivated, I will retire."

Ronaldo scored a brace and assisted once against Poland as his side ran out 5-1 winners on the night. They will next face Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, November 17.

In an interview in September this year, Ronaldo stated he would not announce his decision beforehand. He revealed that it would be a spontaneous decision and said (via BBC):

"When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one. Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches. We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play."

Cristiano Ronaldo has set sights on scoring 1000 goals in his career and his brace on Friday took him to 910.

Rio Ferdinand had once revealed that he begged Cristiano Ronaldo to make Manchester United return

Rio Ferdinand has been a big supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo and revealed in 2014 that he begged the Portuguese star to return to Manchester United. He claimed that the Real Madrid superstar was his most-dialed person that summer and said (via Bleacher Report):

"What do you think? He was one of the most dialled people on my phone at the time! But I think the opportunity has gone now. If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He's signed a new deal at Real now. As footballers you don't really let on too much to each other."

"It's like a chess game. And in those situations you have got your one and two first-choice moves or scenarios that you want to happen. So to let people know is sort of letting the cat out of the bag. You play your cards close to your chest. But if he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That's my personal view, but no-one will ever know now," he added.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo stayed put at Real Madrid for four more seasons before leaving for Juventus. He was reportedly close to joining Manchester City but ended up returning to Manchester United in 2021 summer.