RIO FERDINAND showed “respect” as he avoided stepping on Real Madrid’s badge.
The former Manchester United star, 45, was at the Santiago Bernabeu to watch Madrid snatch an incredible victory at the death against Bayern Munich to seal their place in the Champions League final.
Ahead of his punditry duties for TNT Sports, Ferdinand walked out of the tunnel to get a look at the pitch.
As he did so, he took extra care not to stomp all over Real’s badge, which sat pitchside.
He subsequently posted a clip to social media, writing: “Respect the badge.”
Ferdinand then giddily added: “Ps best stadium in the world right now!”
Some sections of the iconic Bernabeu remain closed as they continue their huge renovation.
Real Madrid spent the 2020-21 season playing at their Valdebebas training facility while initial work was done.
The completed ground was due to be opened five months ago, but has now been pushed back to the summer.
Real’s renovation work will see their Santiago Bernabeu home house a capacity of 85,000 fans, up from 81,000.
It will also boast new restaurants, bars and a space dedicated for e-sports.
And among the latest features are a retractable roof and pitch as well as a new 450-space car park underneath.
While Real Madrid chiefs initially claimed the total cost of the renovation would be just over £860million, Spanish economist Hector Mohedano has worked out that it will actually come to around £1.5bn.
Ferdinand and his fellow TNT Sports pundits will have gone into tonight’s game hoping to see a great show from the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane.
The two sides went into tonight’s second leg locked at 2-2 from the first contest in Germany a week ago.
Bayern looked to be going through after a rocket from Alphonso Davies put them ahead with just 22 minutes to go tonight.
They looked to be comfortable heading towards full time and holding Madrid at bay until disaster struck.
Real sub Joselu grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser after latching on to a mistake from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Then seconds later the ex-Stoke City and Newcastle flop finished from six yards to win it 2-1.
