Rio Ferdinand pleaded Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford, admits the Portuguese winger

Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United celebrate winning the Barclays Premiership

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was recently crowned the best player in the world for 2013, confessed that ex team mate and Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, tried to persuade the Real Madrid star into returning to Old Trafford last summer.

The English center back, who developed a close relationship with the Portuguese in a 6 year time frame tried to influence the Los Blancos legend into “changing his mind” about staying at the Bernebeu. The two, who were neighbours in Cheshire, spoke regularly, mostly as mates.

After winning the Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo said, “It was true that Rio spoke to me a lot. Rio is a great friend of mine, we played many years together at Manchester United and we were neighbours when I was there in Manchester.”

An emotional return to the club where he made his name, might be slim considering the price the Manchester club will have to fork out after his latest success. However, the two time Ballon d’Or winner has always maintained that Manchester United are a special club, and will forever remain close to his heart.