Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and Portugal boss Roberto Martinez could not agree on the favourites to win Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
Euro 2024 starts this month and the UEFA tournament will culminate with the final on 14th July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Host nation Germany will kick off the tournament on 14th June in their opening Group A clash with Scotland in Munich.
Manchester United players have been called up to represent their respective countries at Euro 2024 and the 2024 Copa America this summer.
Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes have been named in Roberto Martinez’s squad, while Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw have made England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez have been named in the Argentina squad ahead of the nation’s Copa America title defence.
Ferdinand makes his Euro 2024 prediction
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the Manchester United legend sat down with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez ahead of Euro 2024.
Rio Ferdinand admitted that Martinez’s Portugal side are one of the favourites to come out on top at Euro 2024.
The 45-year-old former England and United defender added that his two other favourites to win the competition are England and France.
England fell short of the Henri Delaunay trophy at Euro 2020 after a penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley.
France came within touching distance of the European Championship trophy, only to suffer a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France.
“I want to wish you [Martinez] good luck for the tournament,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“I hope you do well and come second behind England, that would be great!
“I think it is you [Portugal], England and France – it will be one of those three. I don’t see no-one else.”
Martinez disagrees with Ferdinand’s Euro 2024 prediction
Martinez took charge of the Portugal national team in 2023 after replacing Fernando Santos in the role.
Portugal have been in scintillating form since Martinez’s arrival and the 2016 Euro champions impressed in their 2024 qualifying campaign.
Martinez’s men topped Group J by winning all 10 of their Euro 2024 qualifiers, with Portugal scoring an impressive 34 times and only conceding twice.
The Portugal boss has insisted that there are seven teams that can win Euro 2024 in Germany, with Ferdinand surprised by Martinez’s prediction.
“I don’t think there are favourites in this tournament,” Martinez said.
“I think if you look at the squads and the way the teams are growing, there are seven teams that on their day can win.”
Responding to Martinez, Ferdinand said: “Seven? I don’t see anyone other than those three.”
Martinez added: “Germany are well down in the rankings but they have only played friendlies for two years.
“They are playing as hosts and they have that mentality… they are always competitive in tournament football.
“Then you look at England, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal… there are a lot of teams that can believe they will go far. Bit tournaments are won by very small details.”