- Rio Ferdinand was trolled by Arsenal fans on board a flight to Porto this week
- The expert joked with followers while responding in the plane’s tannoy.
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Rio Ferdinand jokingly responded to Arsenal fans who saw him on board a flight to Porto on Tuesday as he made an angry announcement after he was goaded for his comments about Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners faithful were furious last week when Ferdinand spoke about Saka’s progress and said he had not reached top speed in his career, despite his incredible season under Mikel Arteta.
Saka has 15 goals and 11 assists and is playing a crucial role in leading the club’s title fight this season, and many agree that he has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season.
But Ferdinand raised eyebrows with his claim that Saka was “not yet world class” after scoring a brace in Arsenal’s 6-0 win at West Ham this month.
And after a handful of Arsenal fans noticed Ferdinand was on the budget airline’s flight to Portugal – sitting front row in a priority seat – they couldn’t help but taunt him with a rousing rendition of the chant “Saka’s world class”.
Rio Ferdinand was goaded by Arsenal fans who saw him on board a flight to Porto on Tuesday over comments he made about Bukayo Saka.
Ferdinand jokingly responded to the plane’s tannoy system while defending his claims.
Ferdinand had insisted Arsenal star Saka was not yet a ‘world-class’ talent
Footage shows fans loudly mocking Ferdinand before approaching him in the front row speaking to a butler.
The former Man United defender later decided to confront fans as he gave a tongue-in-cheek response about the plane’s tannoy system.
“Hi guys, I just want to say it’s been a real pleasure traveling with you Arsenal fans.”
The fans sat in the back seats and then applauded as he continued: “I must say that Saka is a fantastic player, but he is not world class yet.”
“It will be one day, but not yet.”
Ferdinand posted a video of the match on his own Twitter page, writing: “Interesting @Ryanair flight with Arsenal fans this morning…
Ferdinand insisted that Saka would become world class one day after his impressive season.
‘@Bukayo Saka is at higher levels… without a doubt! And he will become “world class.”
speaking in Vibrate with FIVE Last week, in the video that sparked controversy in the first place, Ferdinand said of Saka’s ‘world class’ label: ‘Not yet. Listen, I think Saka has been unreal. In fact, I think she needs some rest, so many games for a little boy.
‘But I think it’s almost like what is world class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, right? I’m talking about the essential stages,” she said.
‘Saka is the best, don’t get me wrong. He’s still not world class.
After reaching the 50-goal mark for Arsenal in the win at West Ham, Saka followed up that double with another in their next game against Burnley, scoring a brace in their 5-0 rout at Turf Moor.
Saka has scored 12 league goals for the Gunners as a star man in their title fight.
He has now scored six goals in his last four games – the first time in his career that he has scored in four consecutive games.
At 22, his manager Arteta says the England star is showing maturity beyond his years and was impressed to have scored his second goal with his weaker right foot.
“We tried to make our players unpredictable because the rivals look at us a lot and we have to find a way,” he said.
‘Bukayo has the skill and practices a lot in and around the box. Today he had two very good finishes.
“You don’t really see that maturity at his age, especially with forwards and wingers. It’s a really rare thing to find, but it’s a quality he has.”
