Former England defender, Rio Ferdinand, has revealed that his former teammate at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, does not talk too much in their WhatsApp group.

He said the Portuguese now sees him as a journalist simply because he runs a podcast.

According to Ferdinand, the Al Nassr man said that he does not want his words published by the former England defender.

Speaking to The Times, Ferdinand, who played 221 matches alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, said the Portuguese jokingly calls him a journalist now.

“It’s funny because Cristiano [Ronaldo] calls me a journalist now,” he said.

“He messaged me saying, ‘Now I can’t say too much in the United WhatsApp group, Rio’s in there. Rio the journalist!’”

Ronaldo had last year appeared on Rio Ferdinand’s football podcast, telling the former England star why he continues to play regularly.

Ronaldo left Ferdinand behind at Manchester United when he joined Real Madrid in 2009.