Rio Ferdinand’s theory on why Thierry Henry ‘has BEEF’ with Cristiano Ronaldo… as his former Manchester United team-mate reveals one other footballing legend who ‘has a problem’ with CR7

Rio Ferdinand recently revealed why he thinks Thierry Henry ‘has beef’ with Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Ferdinand played alongside Ronaldo at Man United for six years while the Portuguese star was at Old Trafford.

Thierry Henry represented Arsenal from 1999-2007 before moving to Barcelona and then New York Red Bulls. Henry played in the Premier League against rival club Man United and shares a number of feats with CR7. 

The pair share the record for the Most Player of the Season awards with two each, as well as the most direct free kick goals by a foreign player at 12 each. 

Speaking on a recent podcast, the former Manchester United and England star spoke about Henry and Brazilian Ronaldo’s feelings towards Cristiano Ronaldo.   

Ferdinand hinted at a past Highbury clash during which Henry and Ronaldo had been winding each other up before the Portuguese star scored the winner for United 

Cristiano Ronaldo was the heart of the debate over fellow footballers’ ‘beef’ with him

They also discussed Brazilian Ronaldo’s feelings towards the Portugal star 

On Brazilian Ronaldo, Ferdinand said: ‘There’s beef there somewhere you know. It’s cause of the name. I think because of the name, as if he says, ‘You took my name,’ so I have a problem with you.

Stephen Howson adds: ‘Because he was Ronaldo wasn’t he. Then Cristiano comes along and everyone is referring to him as the fat Ronaldo which is disrespectful.

Discussing the Arsenal legend, they said: ‘It’s the same with Thierry [Henry]. Thierry is the same. The way I see Thierry talk about Cristiano, it’s more what he doesn’t say. He doesn’t talk about him with any zest or spark. 

‘It’s like he’s downplaying Cristiano a lot.’ Ferdinand added. 

‘There was a clip at Highbury when Henry slaps him on the back of his head or something like that and Cristiano pushes him off.’ He continued.

‘Cristiano then scored the winner and Henry’s taking the kick-off with the goalscorer in the background. 

‘There seems like there’s a little bit of a subplot story that maybe makes it with Thierry and it’s probably still in his mind in moments like that.