Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has named Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior among his top five best forwards in the world.

Ferdinand, who also named the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, in the list, described Vinicius as a brilliant footballer.

The former England defender spoke after Vinicius helped Real Madrid to beat Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 second-leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Ferdinand said on BT Sport, “He [Vinicius] is on that next rung [below Mbappe and Haaland], isn’t he? I think you have got him, Rashford, I think talking about it, Saka’s coming up on the rails.”

“But this kid, the difference between him and the ones I have just mentioned is that he has done it at this level – the Champions League in knockout football and won the Champions League, and been a big part of why they have won.

“A big part of today’s football is pace – pace kills. It scares defenders to death and he not only has the pace, he has got the ability to execute at the top end of the pitch. Brilliant footballer.”