‘I thought I was minutes away from lights out’ - Man United legend Ferdinand recounts recent near-death experience

© Rio Ferdinand X

‘I thought I was minutes away from lights out’ - Man United legend Ferdinand recounts recent near-death experience

Ayoola Kelechi 17:38 - 13.05.2025

Former England and Manchester United defender was scared for his life during a recent incident

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has opened up about a terrifying recent health scare that left him fearing for his life.

PAY ATTENTION: Get N1000 free from Bet9ja

The 46-year-old was rushed to the hospital with a violent virus, forcing him to miss TNT Sports coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clash against PSG.

Ferdinand describes the worst moments

Speaking on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former England captain gave a harrowing account of the ordeal, admitting he genuinely thought the end was near.

Rio Ferdinand, Man United legend || Imago

“I thought lights were out at some point. I was in my bed and I couldn’t even open my eyes,” Ferdinand said as he revealed that what started as a pounding headache quickly escalated into projectile vomiting, vertigo, and full-body weakness.

Ferdinand, who noted that he rarely suffers from migraines, described the pain as if his “head was in a vice” and his eyes were “going to pop out.”

Things took a darker turn when his doctor, after seeing the state he was in, asked whether he wanted an ambulance and ordered a brain scan, sending the panic levels through the roof.

Back on his feet and back in the game

Thankfully, the ex-Red Devils defender is now on the mend and already easing back into his routine, having returned to his podcast and weighed in on the weekend's football drama.

Rio Ferdinand, Man United legend || Imago

Despite being bedridden, Ferdinand still kept a close eye on the Premier League action, even taking to social media to call out Liverpool fans for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With Manchester United preparing for a Europa League showdown against Tottenham later this month, Ferdinand is expected to resume punditry duties soon, looking sharper than ever after his brush with death.