The Top Ten Best Football Commentary Moments Ranked As Rio Ferdinand Calls Time On TNT Sports Career

With the news that long-serving pundit and commentator Rio Ferdinand is stepping down from his role with TNT Sports, we are taking a look at the best football commentary moments from over the years.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand confirmed he will depart TNT Sports at the end of the season.

The 46-year-old has spent a decade working as a pundit and commentator, covering the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

But while some are sad to see him go, Ferdinand has not always been a popular member of commentary teams.

One Twitter (now X) posted: “Rio Ferdinand is leaving TNT Sports.

“I’ve seldom seen such a universally popular piece of news on here amongst football fans.”

Another added: “What a fantastic bit of news this. Happy Wednesday!”

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Rio Ferdinand will leave TNT Sports following the Champions League final. 👋 pic.twitter.com/zIqs23qNIY

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 28, 2025

 

 

Why Has Rio Ferdinand Left TNT Sports?

In announcing his decision to quit TNT Sports after the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan, Ferdinand cited family reasons as a major factor.

He said: “As I turn the page to the next chapter. I carry with me countless memories.

“I’m excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests.”

In light of the news Ferdinand won’t be commentating any more, and in response to how some fans have rated his ability, we at SportsCasting have decided to pick out some of the best football commentary moments from over the years.

Below, we’ve ranked our picks for the top ten best moments in football commentary history.

Top Ten Best Football Commentary Moments Ranked

10. “Little boy from Rosario” — Peter Drury

Starting off our list is this iconic speech from legendary commentator Peter Drury at the 2014 World Cup.

With Argentina needing an equaliser, Lionel Messi prepared to take a vital penalty.

But while Messi couldn’t deliver from the spot, Drury made no mistake from the commentary booth, producing one of the most famous lines of commentary ever.

9. “Goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa” — Peter Drury

Another belter from Drury – there’s a theme here – this unforgettable World Cup moment came four years earlier to our first entry.

Hosts South Africa scored the opening goal of the tournament to take the lead against all odds in their group stage tie against Mexico.

Drury’s line “goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa!” still gives us goosebumps 15 years on.

8. “What a hit son!” — Andy Gray

Taking eighth place is this simple but perfect delivery from Scottish commentator Andy Gray.

Unable to contain his excitement as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard unleashed a thunderous strike against Lyon in the Champions League, Gray created an all-time classic.

One of the most quoted lines in commentary history, “What a hit son!” will be ed forever.

7. “Madeira, Manchester, Madrid, Turin and Manchester Again” — Peter Drury

Yet another Drury entry, but one we simply cannot exclude.

The return of global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United was one of the biggest sporting stories on earth when it happened, and Drury gave it the perfect introduction on commentary.

“Madeira, Manchester, Madrid, Turin, and Manchester again. Wreathed in red. Restored to this great gallery of the game. A walking work of art. Vintage. Beyond valuation, beyond forgery or imitation. 18 years since that trembling teenager of touch and tease first tiptoed onto this storied stage. Now in his immaculate maturity. CR7 reunited.” – Absolute poetry.

6. “Encara Messi” — Joaquim Maria Puyal

Next up is the only piece of commentary on our list that wasn’t delivered in English.

But the ion and delivery of Catalan commentator Joaquim Maria Puyal meant we had to include it.

A 19-year-old Lionel Messi dribbled his way through countless defenders to score for Barcelona, with Puyal repeating “encara Messi”, which translates to “still Messi” as the Argentinian raced towards the goal.

5. “They think it’s all over!” — Kenneth Wolstenholme

As the final seconds of extra time ticked down in the 1966 World Cup final, England led West 3-2.

The referee looked to have blown for full time, leading a number of England fans to rush onto the pitch.

But as play continued, Geoff Hurst scored a fourth for England on the counter-attack to put the result beyond doubt, and create one of the best football commentary lines ever uttered.

Kenneth Wolstenholme’s “they think it’s all over, it is now” is still ed more than 60 years on.

4. “Eleven, it’s heaven for Jamie Vardy” — Martin Tyler

Fourth place for our best commentary moments list belongs to Martin Tyler.

During Leicester City’s famous run to a miraculous Premier League title in 2015/16, Foxes legend Jamie Vardy scored in 11 consecutive matches to break the league record previously held by Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy.

3. “Roma have risen” — Peter Drury

The fourth Peter Drury entry on our list makes him the commentator who has appeared most in the top ten.

His spine-tingling delivery of “Roma have risen from their ruins!” perfectly encapsulated the emotion as Roma came from behind to snatch an underdog victory against Barcelona in the Champions League.

An incredible piece of story-telling, Drury misses out on the top two by the narrowest of margins.

2. “Agueroooooo!” — Martin Tyler

Without a doubt the greatest individual moment in Premier League history – unless you Manchester United.

The 2012 title race went down to the final kick of the season, as Manchester City scored twice in stoppage time to beat QPR and snatch the title away from rivals United.

Martin Tyler’s unforgettable commentary has been immortalised in English football history, and his line of “You’ll never see anything like this ever again” is one that has so far proven to be true.

1. “Here’s Hogg, Deeney!” — Bill Leslie

But for us, there can only be one winner. In perhaps the most unbelievable couple of minutes in English football, Leicester City and Watford met in the Championship Play-off semi-finals.

With the aggregate score 2-2 deep into added time, Leicester had a penalty to send them to Wembley, but an incredible double-save from the Watford keeper allowed them to break, before Troy Deeney slammed home the winner for Watford to send the home crowd into rapture.

Commentator Bill Leslie delivered the iconic words “Here’s Hogg! Deeneyyy!!” and ensured the moment will be forever ed for perhaps the best commentary performance in football.

That’s our list of the top ten best football commentary moments, but we’re sure there’s plenty of other incredible lines we’ve left out.