Ferdinand’s U-turn on Saka complete after admission during Real Madrid display

Bukayo Saka starred as Arsenal beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Rio Ferdinand has now dubbed the winger world-class

Rio Ferdinand has branded Bukayo Saka world-class after he helped Arsenal knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League. Ferdinand made headlines last year after he claimed the Gunners star was “not yet” in that bracket as he had not performed in the “nitty-gritty stages” of the Champions League.

When asked if he viewed Saka as world-class on his podcast, Ferdinand replied: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.

“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

However, Ferdinand has now revised his position after Saka scored a brilliant goal in the second leg of Arsenal ‘s quarter-final clash with Madrid. Arsenal went into the game with a 3-0 advantage after a famous win in the first leg at the Emirates.

There had been plenty of talk, though, about Madrid’s pedigree in the competition and the possibility of ‘La Remontada’ which is a Spanish phrase that means ‘the comeback’. And although Saka did miss an early penalty, he responded brilliantly to make it 1-0 on the night by chipping the ball over Thibaut Courtois.

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Although Vinicius Jr did get one back for Madrid soon after, Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up a 5-1 victory on aggregate for the Gunners in the final minutes of the game to set up a huge semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

And Ferdinand has now hailed Saka as world-class, telling TNT Sports: “Here, today, against the champions, over the two legs they absolutely bossed it. Declan [Rice] was at the forefront of that I thought, but also equally I would say Saka, in terms of defining and being decisive.

“We’ve debated quite a lot over the years, is he world class? Saka, 100 per cent, a world-class footballer who will decide matches for the rest of his career at the top table alongside the best players.”

Reflecting on Saka’s goal, he added: “That’s character. He knows his worth, he knows his value. It’s a wonderful finish. Keeper’s coming out and he just dinks him. The key point is, after such a miss with the penalty, to have the confidence to do this I think tells you and signifies where he is as a player.”

Ferdinand also wrote in a post on social media: “There you go Arsenal fans… You can stop tweeting me about it now. I have always loved Bukayo, been his biggest fan in an England shirt also.

“I just wanted to see him do it when it really matters in big Champions League matches against the best teams! Respect”.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also hailed Saka’s character and the way he responded to his penalty miss. “He stepped up, he didn’t score, obviously, that could be a turning point emotionally in the game because it gives him a lot of belief,” Arteta said.

“But then the way he handled the situation, the way he played afterwards, and the personality that he showed at his age. It’s the first time he’s played in this stadium, it’s incredible.”

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