Former Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand has announced that he will be stepping away from his punditry role at TNT Sports after this weekend’s UEFA Champions League Final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in Munich. The match will mark the end of an era for Ferdinand, who has been a prominent presence on football broadcasting screens for the past decade.
Ferdinand, 46, first joined the network in 2015, back when it operated as BT Sport. Since then, he has become one of the most recognisable faces in football media, offering expert analysis and commentary across domestic and European competitions. Whether in the studio or on location, Ferdinand’s insightful breakdowns and charismatic presence have made him a fan favourite among viewers.
Rio Ferdinand to Step Away from TNT Sports After Champions League Final
Over the years, he has covered numerous high-profile matches, including Premier League clashes, Champions League campaigns, and Europa League finals. Most recently, he was part of the broadcast team for the Europa League Final between Manchester United and Spurs in Bilbao, a match that added yet another chapter to his storied media career.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Ferdinand expressed deep appreciation for his time at the network and explained his decision to step back.
“After 10 incredible years, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League Final,” he wrote. “Since retiring from football, it has been a privilege to talk about the game I love for a decade, sharing that passion with fans through BT Sport and now TNT Sports.”
He continued by thanking the production teams and behind-the-scenes staff who have supported him throughout his media journey. “They’ve helped me travel across Europe, watch the best players, and witness the biggest matches. For a football fan like me, it’s been a dream come true. Their hard work often goes unnoticed, but it has been vital to everything we’ve achieved.”
Ferdinand’s departure comes at a time when he is choosing to focus more on personal projects and family life. He plans to devote more energy to Rio Ferdinand Presents, his digital media platform, and other business ventures that have grown in recent years. He also spoke warmly of his desire to spend more time with his family, acknowledging their role in supporting his career.
“I want to thank my family and my management team at New Era for their unwavering support,” he wrote. “This isn’t the end — I hope to stay connected with fans in new and exciting ways. Thank you for everything.”
Sources close to TNT Sports have confirmed that Ferdinand’s decision to leave was entirely his own and that there is potential for him to return in the future in some capacity. Whether as a guest contributor or perhaps in a more permanent role down the line, the door remains open.
His exit also follows a recent health scare that saw him briefly hospitalised with a severe viral illness. The former defender was forced to miss Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG as a result. He later described the illness as “crazy,” revealing that it left him vomiting and bedridden. Now fully recovered, Ferdinand appears ready to enter a new phase of life with renewed perspective and purpose.
As one of England’s most accomplished defenders, Ferdinand earned 81 caps for his country and won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester United. He transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting following his retirement in 2015, becoming known for his candid takes, tactical insights, and on-screen chemistry with fellow pundits.
With the Champions League Final fast approaching, viewers can expect an emotional sign-off from one of the most respected figures in football media. Ferdinand’s departure marks not just the end of a broadcasting chapter, but the beginning of new ventures and opportunities for the former England star.
For now, all eyes are on Saturday night in Munich, where Rio Ferdinand will bring his decade-long tenure in football punditry to a fitting close — on the biggest stage in European football.