The Premier League has announced its latest batch of Hall of Fame nominees, but there was no place for Wales and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs on the 15-man shortlist
Ryan Giggs raises his arms in bewilderment
Ryan Giggs will not be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame this year
(Image: Getty)
Rhodri Giggs has criticised the Premier League's decision to overlook his brother Ryan Giggs for its 2025 Hall of Fame shortlist. The Premier League recently unveiled a list of 15 nominees, from which two will be chosen to join the prestigious group.
Manchester United legend Giggs was a glaring omission, with several players with far lesser accomplishments being selected ahead of the Welshman. It follows a string of off-pitch scandals that have seemingly drawn attention away from his illustrious career in recent years.
That includes an eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri's wife, Natasha, which was exposed in 2011. The affair caused a rift in the Giggs family as Rhodri and Natasha divorced, although he now insists it's all in the past, even claiming to have profited from it.
Responding to one user on social media, the 48-year-old wrote, per GB News, earlier this year: "Mate, it was over 14 years ago and I've got two kids with someone else and made s*** load of money from it."
He continued: "I buzz off it. It was 14 years ago and I made about £1million from it. Can't be on X and not expect a little bit of shrapnel coming your way. All part of the fun."
While his brother may have moved on, Giggs' reputation doesn't seem to have recovered from the incident, his affair with model Imogen Thomas and his high-profile divorce from wife Stacey, which was finalised in 2017.
The former winger, 51, also stepped down from his position as Wales manager in 2022 following his arrest on suspicion of assault. He always denied the allegations and was cleared in 2023 after his former partner, Kate Greville, withdrew from the trial.
The Brother of Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs, Rhodri Giggs leaving Manchester Magistrates Court after being convicted of no insurance
Rhodri Giggs has rushed to his brother's defence(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Announcing its latest batch of potential inductees, the Premier League tweeted on Sunday: "Home of the greats. Two more players will be voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2025..."
Rhodri voiced his frustration at his brother's snubbing by responding with a montage of Giggs' highlights at United, along with the caption: "13 Premier League medals, countless goals, and the record number of Premier League assists. #TheShamHallOfFame."
While Giggs doesn't feature on the shortlist, several former United team-mates do. Patrice Evra and Teddy Sheringham receive their first nominations, while Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar, and Michael Owen return, having been previously shortlisted.
Sol Campbell, Jermain Defoe, Cesc Fabregas, Les Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Eden Hazard, David Silva and Yaya Toure complete the list of 2025 nominees. Giggs, who has not returned to management since 2022 but does work as Director of Football at Salford City, played 632 times in the Premier League and holds the top-flight's assist record (162).
During his career as a one-club man, he made 963 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. He won the Premier League title a record 13 times, along with four FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions Leagues.
Fans have until 15 September to cast their votes on the Premier League website and app for who they would like to see join the Hall of Fame. The results will then be presented to the 24 current Hall of Famers, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, who will make the final decision on which two stars will be inducted.
Premier League Hall of Fame inductees
2021: David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer.
2022: Sergio Agüero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright.
2023: Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Tony Adams, Petr Cech, Rio Ferdinand.
2024: Andy Cole, Ashley Cole, John Terry.