Manchester United favourite Rio Ferdinand admits that Spain captain Sergio Busquets gave him the most humbling experience of his career when they locked horns in the 2011 Uefa Champions League final at Wembley.
The defensive midfielder was once again in action at Wembley on Tuesday night, although this time he was on the losing side as Spain were knocked out of Euro 2020 on penalties to Italy in a dramatic semi-final.
Regardless, Busquets was magisterial in defeat, rolling back the years to dominate the middle third against the most impressive national side in the competition.
The Catalan earned rave reviews from BBC's pundits at half-time, with Alan Shearer effusive in his praise. He said: "[Spain] are dominating possession. I mean Busquets is ridiculously good in midfield. He has a way of controlling the midfield, he has a radar going on around him, who is around him and knowing what pass to play."
Busquets' performance reminded Ferdinand of another time he bossed proceedings — when United were beaten for a second time in three years by Barcelona in the Champions League final, losing 3-1 to Pep Guardiola's side in the 2011 showpiece.
Ferdinand admitted he felt embarrassed and way below par against Busquets and company that day.
"We were here at Wembley in the final and we actually got abused that game by Barcelona, they were brilliant," said the ex United centre-back.
"Your confidence is low anyway, as you are trying to get the ball back off him. He turned and said to me; 'Ferdinand, Vidic, boom, boom, boom' [referring to playing long balls].
"Honestly, I felt like a Conference player."
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