'Park Ji-sung's close friend' sighs, "Almost lost everything in a ghost building." Ferdinand warns younger players: "Beware of scams... Piranhas are everywhere in football."

*This content was translated by AI.

Rio Ferdinand (47), a Manchester United legend who successfully transformed into a businessman after retirement, warned younger players to "be careful of scams."

The UK's 'Daily Mail' reported on the 27th (local time) that "since moving to Dubai, Ferdinand has earned nearly double the weekly wage he received during his peak Manchester United years through running a podcast and various successful investments."

Ferdinand recently appeared on the podcast 'The Long Play,' which covers major figures in the sports world. When asked when he earned the most, he replied, "Probably in recent years." According to media reports, Ferdinand's current net worth is estimated at around 57 million pounds (approximately 114.8 billion won). This far exceeds his earnings from 2008 to 2013, when he was among the world's highest-paid players, earning a salary of about 6 million pounds (approximately 12 billion won).

According to media reports, the secret to Ferdinand's growing wealth lies in his all-around business expansion, ranging from broadcasting to real estate.

In particular, the podcast 'Rio Ferdinand Present' is structured so that Ferdinand owns it directly, without relying on external production companies. This show, which handles production and retains all profits, consistently ranks within the top 50 in sports podcast listenership in the UK. Thanks to Ferdinand's extensive network, top-tier players such as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Paul Pogba have appeared on the show one after another.

His investment activities are also active. He invests in the UK football agency 'New Era Global Sports Management' and continues to run his own charitable foundation. In Dubai, where he lives with his family, he is a partner in the high-end real estate development company 'LEOS Developments' and owns the local resort company 'Football Escape.'

Ferdinand also mentioned the tax benefits and improved quality of life gained from his move to Dubai. The media reported that "while Ferdinand did not openly boast about Dubai's tax-free benefits, he expressed strong dissatisfaction with the UK's tax and welfare systems."

He stated, "If the UK's social infrastructure, such as its healthcare system, were perfect, I would not hesitate to pay taxes. However, with the system crumbling, I question whether the huge taxes I pay are being used properly for the nation." He added, "Since coming to Dubai, I have spent more time with my family, which has become a fresh turning point in my life."

Furthermore, Ferdinand urged younger players to manage their assets thoroughly. He revealed a painful past experience of being deceived by financial planners, which caused him significant financial loss.

Ferdinand warned, "I was once victimized by a terrible scam where a building I invested in didn't even exist. Fortunately, I had other income sources to cover the losses, but this industry is full of 'piranhas' that exploit the vulnerability of players who focus solely on football." He emphasized, "To protect players' assets, family members, not agents, must take on the role of gatekeepers."

Meanwhile, Ferdinand is well-known to domestic fans as a close friend of Park Ji-sung during his Manchester United days. Last September, he played as captain of 'Shield United' in the '2025 Icon Match' held at Seoul World Cup Stadium, facing off against Park Ji-sung of 'FC Spear.'

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*This content was translated by AI.