Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli address infamous Manchester derby FA Cup feud after old rivals placed in same Champions League final team
- Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli were embroiled in an FA Cup scandal in 2011
- Manchester United legend Ferdinand objected to Balotelli’s party
- But more than a decade later, the two old foes are experts for BT Sport tonight
Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli once again put aside old differences after being placed together in the Champions League final, although the duo took time to address their infamous 2011 FA Cup semi-final spat.
Former Manchester City striker Balotelli was once a bitter Manchester United rival and now retired defender Ferdinand.
Ferdinand took offense to the fact that Balotelli appeared to be gesturing towards the United side of the stadium after the final whistle and angrily confronted him.
The centre-back had to be restrained by several teammates, including goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, while City boss Roberto Mancini also stepped in to call for calm.
And more than a decade later, Ferdinand and Balotelli found themselves in the same room together as part of BT Sport’s coverage of the showdown in Istanbul.
Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli feuded after Manchester City beat United in 2011
Balotelli seemed to point to the United end, an act that infuriated Ferdinand (right)
Balotelli (R) and Ferdinand (second from right) were experts for the Champions League final
But instead of reopening historic wounds, the two chose to embrace each other warmly before stepping into the studio and facing the cameras.
Asked on the show for an insight into their fracas more than 12 years ago, Ferdinand explained exactly why he had rushed to and grabbed Balotelli.
“Mario celebrated after the game in front of our fans and I felt offended and not happy,” he said. “He was cool under pressure.”
“I was celebrating for their fans and I understand why they got angry,” Balotelli said. It happened on the field and ended on the field.’
Joleon Lescott added: “Mario was brilliant at liquidating opponents and fans.”
Ferdinand previously admitted that he wanted to “kill” Balotelli.
Several teammates quickly intervened to defuse the tension and take away an enraged Ferdinand
Ferdinand exchanged words with City manager Roberto Mancini before leaving the field
Speaking of his FIVE YouTube channel with City great Vincent Kompany he said: ‘That semi-final, that’s when I thought “OK, they’re here to stay”.
“That was when Balotelli, remember what happened after the game? I wanted to kill him that day.
“I get on well with him, but at the time…he was celebrating and gesturing to our fans.”
Balotelli played for both City and Inter Milan during his roller-coaster career, even winning the Treble under Jose Mourinho during his spell in the Italian capital.
However, 13 years later, he could see City pull off the same feat with a win over Inter that would see them emulate the heroics of United’s side in 1999.