RIO FERDINAND was mocked on Twitter after comparing Jurgen Klinsmann to Harry Houdini over a correct prediction.
The ex-England defender, 42, appeared on BBC alongside the German for his latest punditry duties of Euro 2020.
But he left viewers baffled with his bizarre description.
Klinsmann accurately forecast Denmark to beat Russia and Belgium to score against Finland between the 70th and 75th minutes.
And after Lukas Hradecky’s unfortunate own goal in the 74th, host Gary Lineker praised the former striker for his projections.
Lineker said: “This is what punditry is all about.
“Not only did you say they would wear them down, you also said it would be between the 70th and 75th minute.
“I mean, boy oh boy! Punditry of the tournament.”
But as he finished, Ferdinand simply added: “Houdini.”
However, viewers are convinced he got confused drawing similarities with legendary escapologist and illusionist Houdini – and instead meant future-telling French astrologer Nostradamus.
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One said: “Rio Ferdinand responding to Jurgen Klinsmann’s correct prediction of when Belgium would score with ‘Houdini’ may be my moment of the tournament so far.”
Another quipped: “Rio Ferdinand just called Klinsman ‘Houdini’ for correctly predicting when Belgium would score? Doesn’t he mean Nostradamus?
“I thought Rio’s knowledge of a 19th-Century illusionist from Hungary and a 16th-Century French astrologer would be better, I’m disappointed.”
A third added: “I have been in stitches laughing at Rio Ferdinand saying Houdini after Jurgen Klinsmann successfully predicted Denmark’s win.”
It is not the first time this tournament the Manchester United legend has felt the full heat of social media for his TV comments.
On Friday, prior to England’s clash with Scotland, Ferdinand said he had ‘never been so confident’ of a result, backing Gareth Southgate’s men to do the business at Wembley.
He said: “England are going win. I can’t see anything else, I’m telling you.
“I’m confident. I’ve never been so confident about a game in the Championships.”
Despite his wayward prediction, Ferdinand bagged plenty of credit on Saturday morning for the way he broke down the tactics of the match.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
