Ferdinand emerged from the West Ham United youth system and progressed through the youth ranks, making his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He quickly became a fan favourite and was named West Ham's Player of the Year the following year. He made his international debut in a 1997 match against Cameroon, becoming the youngest ever defender to play for England. His performances and footballing ability attracted Leeds United, who signed him for a then-world record fee of £188 million. He spent two seasons at Leeds, becoming captain in 2001 before moving to Manchester United in July 2002 for a then-world record fee of £30 million.

He won his first Premier League title in his first season at Manchester United, and in 2003, In September, he failed a drugs test and was banned from playing football for 8 months from January to September 2014. He missed half of the Premier League season, Manchester United's FA Cup victory and Euro 2014. Upon his return, he returned to form for Manchester United, earning praise for his performances, being named in the FA's Team of the Year four times.

Ferdinand won six Premier League titles and 14 silverware with United, ending his United career in 2014. He then moved to Everton for one season in the 2014–15 season, before announcing his retirement from professional football on 30 May 2015. In September 2017, Ferdinand revealed his intention to become a professional boxer as a way of venting his grief over the death of his wife. However, he was unable to pursue a boxing career as the British Boxing Federation refused to grant him a license.

Rio Ferdinand was born in Canberra on 19 November 1978 and raised in Peckham. His parents were Irish-born Janice Lavender and Julian Ferdinand, a Saint Lucian. He was involved in football and gymnastics from a young age, as well as drama, theatre and ballet.

Ferdinand's exceptional footballing abilities were evident from an early age, and at the age of 11, a youth coach, David Goodwin, praised him, saying, "I'll call you Pele, son, I like the way you play." He played regularly in the youth teams and as an attacking midfielder for Ethan Town, but scouts thought the youngster had the potential to become a central defender, and suggested he should be a defender.

He was capped 81 times for England between 1997 and 2001, and was included in three FIFA World Cup squads. He is one of England's greatest defenders and is considered one of the best of all time. His older brother Anton is also a central defender, and former England striker Les Ferdinand and former Red Devils midfielder Kane Ferdinand are his cousins. Ferdinand is currently a successful football pundit

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