Kate Ferdinand on ’emotional spiral’ after life update with Rio | Football | Sport
Kate Ferdinand has revealed a heart-warming family moment with husband and Manchester United icon Rio, after his son Tate flew out to surprise them in Dubai. Earlier this year, the couple relocated from London to the United Arab Emirates.
The former United defender explained the move earlier this month, criticising the UK government over what he perceives as wasteful spending of public funds. He told LBC: “If there were things like the health service and what not, and they were flying and working perfectly well then I think people wouldn’t mind paying tax. But when things are falling apart, going wrong, you do sit there and go ‘well I’m paying all this tax, but is it really going towards the things that benefit the people that live here.’ And that’s the big question that needs answering – and I think a lot of us know the answer to that.”
Rio’s teenage sons Lorenz (19) and Tate (17), from his marriage to late wife Rebecca Ellison, have stayed in the UK whilst playing for Brighton’s youth academy. Last week, Tate travelled to Dubai to surprise his father and stepmother, with Kate posting an emotional video of the reunion on social media.
“A memory I’ll cherish forever,” she penned in an Instagram post, adding: “I love surprising people – honestly, I think I’m pretty good at it lol! So knowing that Tate went to all that effort to surprise us just feels so special.
“I’ve had the best two days, and now that he’s left I’m on a complete emotional spiral. We’re having the most amazing time in Dubai. The kids are happy, thriving, and safe, and that truly feels like such a blessing. But wow… I miss Lorenz and Tate so much. It’s hard to put it into words. Counting down the days until we’re reunited.”
Rio clocked up over 450 appearances for United during his illustrious career, clinching six Premier League titles along the way. He also celebrated Champions League glory with the Red Devils in 2008.
Throughout his professional journey, he also donned the jerseys of West Ham and Leeds United before finally hanging up his boots in the summer of 2015. Since then, he has carved out a successful career as a pundit. He also kicked off his podcast in August 2022, while his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents boasts more than one million subscribers.
