Rio Ferdinand has today hailed the Neville's lifestyle as an example to all young footballers. Ferdinand believes some young players careers suffer as they get caught up in the glitz and glamour of being a modern footballer. “Looking back, the Neville's, people used to laugh at them, saying they were ’so professional’ and this and that,” said Rio. “But they were good professionals at a young age. Look at the length of their careers now.”
He went on to say how changes in the game have made it impossible to continue the drinking culture of seasons gone by. “Nowadays you have a game Saturday, then Tuesday, then Saturday, then Tuesday,” he explained. “There’s no room in the game to go out on the lash and get smashed like you used to. That was part of the culture when I was growing up as a kid. Nowadays, you can’t afford to do that. You’re playing against teams that are physically in tip-top condition. If you’re going out there and are not in the same physical condition, you can’t do yourself or your team justice. If you’ve got a free week, there’s no problem going out, enjoying yourself and letting your hair down. You don’t have to live like a monk. But you’ve got to pick and choose your right times. It’s about managing yourself right.”
Rio's own career has been blighted by a serious of "youthful" indiscretions including a drink driving charge which saw him expelled from the English national team. As a result he missed the opportunity to become England's youngest international, the record at the time was held by Duncan Edwards. And who can forget the infamous missed drugs test that led to a lengthy eight month ban.
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