World Cup: Wayne Rooney On England v Argentina

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0:40Learn more at odoo.com. The Football Daily at the People World Cup 2026. With Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith. Live from LA. Hello, welcome to the Football Daily with Rick and Lloyd. It's the big one. England, Argentina later today. Going to be joined by Wayne Rooney to talk about that shortly. Spain beat France 2-0 to make it to the World Cup final. Julian Ron's going to be chatting to us about that as well. A couple of bits of business to attend to. We have been eyeing up a diner just down the road from us. It's called George's Burgers. We've been looking at the menu online. 4.4 stars on Google Maps.

1:20Yeah, with quite a few reviews as well. About 2 ,500. Yeah, so safe. and I've been peering in because it's on the way to our workout place. Ironically, the place we'll be going to work out every day. And you look in and you see the food that these people are eating. So we went in, finally went in today and we ordered what I think we both thought. It's an intimidating menu. There's a lot there. It's a proper old school diner menu. Absolutely, American diner. Everything you imagine is going to be on there is on there. And we went for the chili cheese fries with pastrami. Yeah. and I think we both imagined that that was going to be a sort of a modest affair well can I I ordered first yeah and the reason why I went for that is because actually it was slightly cheaper so I thought they're not as expensive as the other meals and I don't really want a massive meal so I'll go for that and I think it might be between a starter and a main and you said do you know what I'm going to have to order that as well because if you get that I'm going to get jealous I'm going to be jealous yeah so we ordered it and And, well, what turned up?

2:25Well, a mountain. It was a mountain of pastrami, chili, chips and cheese. Yeah. And it was... No exaggeration. I'd say if you put your hand on a table... That sort of height, yeah. If you put your hand on a table upright, okay, so your hand is one length up, it was that high. And then form a dome. And then form a dome over it. It looked like... I'm not sure if anyone's ever been to Meadow Hall, the shopping centre in Sheffield, or maybe even St Paul's Cathedral. The dome, it was like that, but pastrami and chips. Yes, and quite a lot of sauce. And we, both of us have got healthy appetites. Neither of us could finish it.

3:07But it was absolutely delicious. You had more of a go than me. I was really impressed. I was like, do you know what? I've managed to get through to him. It's worked off. he's wearing Grimsby tops he's eaten an obscene amount of pastrami I was really proud of you I was like well done Rick because before you'd have had a couple of chips and gone for a little avocado juice around the corner done your circuit class but I'm like look at this boy I feel like you know those couples they're getting a really unhealthy relationship where it's like they're active at the start then the next thing you know there's like should we get Domino's other pizzas are available are you saying that we're both feeders now?

3:43well I think we are now both feeders and it's just got to that point where I'm going, look at you, you don't need to go to the gym. You're fine as you are. You're beautiful. What are you doing? Why are you going to the... No, you didn't. Eat another mouthful. Here's some mayonnaise. We didn't lady in the trumpet. Well, maybe we should have done. The chips weren't that long. I wish we had done that. We could have got close, couldn't we? Also, we're coming to the end of our table tennis time, I think. So we play table tennis pretty much every day. Two to three times a day, maybe. times or three times.

4:16We are busy here. It's pathetic. We are busy. And we've not been doing a cumulative score, but no. If we had... Yeah. If we had, it'd be pathetic because we're just friends having fun, just playing table tennis. And I guess, you know, it's just a silly little game, isn't it, table tennis? So we don't really need to keep scores. I've played fantastic. I've got better considering I was... You have got better? Yeah. Although that hasn't been reflected in the scorelines. No, there's been a couple. There's been a couple of days where I've... There's been one. No, there's been... There was one glorious day.

4:51I knew this was going to happen. When you won. And on the other 40 days. Oh, Jesus. Yeah. Oh, can you smell that? What, is that you? Is that the best army? So we're at the end of Route 66, if you've been listening to the podcast since the start, which is basically by the sea in Santa Monica. And we just got the largest whiff of the ocean that I think we've ever got. Oh, yeah, got you. I assumed it was, because I don't remember since I assumed it was going to be weed. No. Because I normally get weed. It's the ocean. We've got the largest. Did you get that? I feel like I was back in Grimsby. It was absolutely wonderful.

5:24It was absolutely fantastic. I don't feel homesick anymore. Well, perfect prep for Wayne Rooney. Well, delighted to say we're joined by Wayne Rooney now. How are you, Wayne? Yeah, I'm good. All good, thanks. How are you? Yeah, very well. Welcome to America. A bit of good news for you, actually. We get to New York just in time for your road down the Hudson. so we can be on the sides cheering you on. Go on, faster, boy, faster! That sort of stuff, if that's helpful. Well, I'm happy you've got more details than I have because I'm still waiting for them. We found you at Cups. That didn't sound too good there.

5:53I wasn't referring to that. No, I know you weren't. No, Wayne, there are big games and then there's England-Argentina in a semi-final at a World Cup. This is absolutely huge, isn't it? Oh, it's massive. Obviously, England, I remember we played Argentina. Argentina, we played in Switzerland actually, against them, it must have been over 20 years ago. And just the feeling of that, that was a friendly game, it was huge. So to play Argentina in a World Cup semi-final is absolutely massive. Pressure on both teams, but yeah, it's after seeing the France-Spain game just then, it's going to be tough for England, two very tough games if they're going to go and win the World Cup, but I think they're more than capable of doing it.

6:40You've experienced the kind of the pressure and the expectation of playing for England. How do you manage yourself in the kind of 24 hours building up to a colossal match like this? Well, I haven't played in a game of this magnitude. But in terms of playing in big games and the pressure of big games, for me, I try and relax and watch a series or a couple of movies and try and chill out and stay calm. and try and just stay away from everything. Obviously, now it's more difficult with social media rounds and stuff, but I'm trying to just lock myself away and stay away from everything. These players, throughout the whole tournament, they've seen like they're quite chilled.

7:20Nothing seems to have fazed them. Have you got that from them? I mean, that they're kind of actually, do you know what, this occasion, we think we might be all right. Yeah, I think Thomas Tuchel has served from the start, hasn't he? And from his squad, he wants the team to be together. And we've seen that. we've seen you know players going out the hotel we've seen them in I think it was Harry Kane and Dan Burn at a concert and they look to be a bit more chilled than they have done in previous tournaments and I think that stems from Gareth Southgate when he was in charge and building a better relationship with the media and I think that's certainly there at the moment and yeah the players they've been in big games haven't they the two-year-old championship finals some of them players have got that experience of being in big games and I think that definitely helps helps the team this time around.

8:07Can you enjoy occasions like this as a player? When you were in big games you looked like you were thriving once you were on the pitch at least. Yeah, you enjoy it more if you win obviously but I think that's one of my regrets and it's what I always say when you get asked any advice to young players and stuff is you wish you enjoyed the moment more than the occasion a bit more because you can get tied up in the pressure of the game and obviously there is a lot of expectations so I think for the players there'll be a lot going through the minds at the moment and sometimes it's good to just step back a little bit and understand what they're doing and if they know what I'm sure they do they know what the belief in the hope from from the fans back home I certainly see it through my children and how excited they are and that's what they're giving to a lot of fans back home and and hopefully they can somehow find a way to enjoy it But how do you enjoy it, though?

9:04Because I think, obviously, I'm not a professional footballer yet. By no means. But I think, like, on that stage, you know, even like, you know, when I do stand-up, you know what I mean, I try to enjoy it. But when you've got, you know, however many thousands in front of you. Or when you're bombing as well. Like, it's tough, isn't it? Rick, I've never bombed in my life, mate. Grow up. Apart from that one time in Carlisle. Anyway, but how do you try and enjoy it when there's so much at stake? Like, what would you try and implement as a player to try and enjoy it more? I think just recognising where you are and what you're doing and what you're trying to achieve and maybe just taking a bit of time to yourself and understanding that because the players will feel it's all or not and it's do or die.

9:45And I suppose it is in some ways, but actually when you've come out of the game, you look back, you think you should have enjoyed your time. You're playing for your country, representing your country at the highest level. you need to try and take it in a bit and take that experience in and for them players it'll be very difficult so there's no answer of how you enjoy it but I think just taking it in and trying to have that freedom to help you on the pitch as well so hopefully they find a way and listen, there's all kind of sports psychologists out there as well who I'm sure the players will have to try and help them deal with that and enjoy it a bit more The relationship between Thomas Tuchel and his star player, one of his star players, Drew Bellingham, is really fascinating from the outside.

10:33We know that there have been some issues that Tuchel has managed and we're now seeing Drew Bellingham absolutely flying at this tournament. And it is a testament, I think, to Thomas Tuchel's style that he's kind of cracked this with Bellingham. I think his handling of Bellingham has been very calculated starting from last year in terms of leaving him out the squad. And I think he's known what he's doing and he's wanted a reaction from him and he's getting a perfect reaction from him. And in terms of the relationship and the interviews after the last game, I think as a manager, you want players to talk and you want them to have their own opinions and their own personality and characters.

11:15And that's what we're seeing and you don't always see it. I know back into my career when I was playing and certainly as a manager, I was encouraging my players to give me their thoughts. And the players don't always have to agree with the manager as well. Give me your thoughts, let me know what you're feeling and we can try and work it out together. And for me, it was really refreshing seeing both interviews after the game. That happens, it happens behind closed doors a lot of the time. The manager will tell the players they're not good enough. They haven't been good enough for this game, sorry.

11:45And the players will have to feed back and their thoughts back. That's when you have your team meetings and you want the players to speak up and have their own voice. And that's what Jude's done in his reaction to the video. And I agree with him as well in terms of it's very difficult in that heat. And sometimes when you're on the sideline, you don't, like now as a pundit, you sometimes forget about the conditions they're playing in and just judge them on the performance where there's so many different things which you have to factor in. We obviously don't know what happened after that, But what do you think they would have done?

12:19Do you know what I mean? Would they have just gone into a little room together and gone, hey, I just saw that interview and this is what I said? Or do you think Thomas will be a bit annoyed with him? Do they have a little chat on the bus? No, I think Thomas Tuchel will be absolutely delighted. I really do. And this happened so many times. And I said before, it's normally behind closed doors. Players and managers, they have arguments, they have disagreements. But that's for the benefit of the team. I've seen it. I've had many arguments with managers, but it's all for the benefit of the team. They'll actually be laughing behind closed doors with the coverage it's got.

12:55I honestly think that. Also, I did understand, and I think anyone who's watched England throughout this tournament understands what Thomas Tuchel means when he says he thinks that the players can do better. I don't think anyone would argue with that. England have done really well getting through these games, but I don't think they've played at their absolute best, have they? No, and it's a good sign that they haven't been at the best in the World Cup semi-final. It's a very good sign from that point of view. I think they will have to perform better. They should not take any performance as long as we win tomorrow, but I think they will have to have a better performance tomorrow against a good Argentine team.

13:34I think when a manager comes out, and again, I go back to what I said, I think Thomas Tuchel has been very calculated with the timing of that. He could have said that after the Congo game. He could have said it after the Panama game. I think the timing of it is really important in terms of he's sending a strong message to his players. He will have said the exact same thing in the restroom to the players. So there's no miscommunication on that. But also to the fans. I think what it does for the fans is it shows that, you know, he's getting that message across to the players that he expects more, better performances.

14:10What would you like to manage? Straight to the point. I would have been difficult as a manager to manage because I was very opinionated very similar to what you've done the other day I'd have discussions and arguments and disagreements with the managers inside the dressing room because I always feel I'd speak my mind and if I felt the manager was wrong in what he was saying I'd tell him and that's exactly how I wanted my players to be as a manager it didn't quite work out that well but you have to have discussions otherwise you're going into a time where you're having a manager as a dictator and as someone who's speaking and you just have to do what he wants.

14:50The best players and the best moments in football throughout the history of the game are done from players taking the game into their own hands and going against probably what the managers asked them to do. It's very interesting what you said there about managers sometimes being dictators because it seems very much like Thomas Tuchel is like pals, like mates with the players but then they also respect him that when it comes to actually we need to take instructions from this guy and you've seen, you know, Declan Rice came out and he said, oh, the instructions that he gave us at half-time at hydration break, we're like, oh, wow.

15:22But there's still that kind of like, I don't want to use the word banter, but like friendly banter. Cameradery. Yeah, between the players and him and I think it's just a fine balance, isn't it? Well, a lot of the managers are like that and Alex Ferguson was exactly like that. Oh, really? I remember me and Ronaldo and we used to play pranks on him all the time and him throughout the week, throughout the week. Is that where Ria got the idea for his Merc stuff? Probably. No, but for managers, they want to be part of that as well. But when you're on the training pitch, putting your work in and tactically how you're working and obviously on match day, it becomes serious and that's where Alex Eriksson was at his best.

16:04But he was, you know, soft-hearted and loved joining the banter for sure you've got to tell us what pranks he did on Sir Alex Ferguson come on no we just little ones where we go to roll the ball to him and he go to kick it and one of his remember one Champions League away game I was actually lying under the table where there was a clock hanging down from it and then Ronaldo's passed the ball to him and as he's gone to kick it I've just stuck my heart out and moved the ball

16:36so there was full setups to them how he'd done it and stuff but he loved it as well because it kept him feeling young you don't expect it well we've talked about Jude Bellingham and how vital he is to this England team the other person who clearly is instrumental in all the success that the team are having is Harry Kane who you know at is he 31, 32 now he does seem to be getting better and better He does, and I think he'll be an absolute nightmare for Argentina to play against, because with Romero and Martinez, they're aggressive centre-backs, and they'll want to be tied to him, and Harry Kane can drag them into areas which they won't want to go, but they will go to, but they won't want to go.

17:20And then it's important to play, we have runners-off Harry Kane tomorrow, so I think he'll be a nightmare for them. But in terms of, certainly since he's gone to Germany, his game's evolved massively, and he started it a few years before that at Tottenham but his game, how it's evolved and dropping in and linking play and creating goals and still being able to do that and score even more goals and reach the numbers he's reached is incredible and he's our best player Harry Kane's our best player I think Jude Bellingham has been our best player at the tournament but Harry Kane's our best player and a most important player for me I completely agree since going to Germany he has just a few more notches that he's just accessed and he's playing a lot, lot deeper and he's just in every position in the park and if I'm honest, it reminds me a little bit of you, do you know what I mean?

18:10Like you'd be up top then the next thing you know, you're putting challenges in the box. Do you see yourself in Harry Kane? Probably more in Jude than I do in Harry, if I'm being honest, in terms of a bit more explosive and dynamic and drive and hunger to get on the end of crosses in the way Jude has done this tournament. I think with Harry, What's really impressive with him is he has dropped and played a bit more as a number 10 and sometimes deeper than that, but he still managed to keep his goal tally incredible. When I played as a 10, my goals had scored, which weren't as good as when I played as a 9, where I just continued to stay at that level.

18:46Also, there's that nice understanding between Bellingham and Kane, where if Kane drops, Bellingham goes forward and vice versa, and it just works, doesn't it? Yeah, it does. I think it's more of a two in midfield. I know he played deeper in I can't remember what game it was one of the games he played in the midfield I think he might have to do that tomorrow out of possession make a three in midfield rather than being as a tenor or a second forward to help us out defensively but yeah that relationship it seemed to grow as the tournament's gone on and I think we'll need more runners for me personally tomorrow he won't do it but I play Rashford Andy Gordon outwards and have runners and speed running behind but the relationship between them two as the two key players as well.

19:29And it looks like they look closer in this tournament than he did in the last tournament in terms of, they look more matey, if you like. Yeah. It's just quite nice them doing each other's celebrations and stuff. It just, you know, they're getting on really well. I do think Harry needs a new celebration.

19:48It's not the best one, but I like Jude's one. I've done Jude's one actually quite a few times. Yeah. He's a good lad. Yeah. We talked in the last game against Norway, how do you nullify Erling Haaland? And we managed to do that with the help of a dead leg. How do you try and nullify Lionel Messi? It's a good question. Not many have been able to do it, have they? But no, I think with communication and you have to always be aware where Messi is because sometimes he doesn't look interested in the game and he's walking and he's not involved in it. but then he comes to life at the right moment and he has these moments of genius.

20:27So I think the communication and checking your shoulder, always knowing and being aware where he is, is going to be really important tomorrow to try and stop him. Do you think that will be Declan Rice's department? Do you think he'll be asked to keep an eye on Messi? I think for Rice and Anderson, that's why I said I dropped Jude in alongside them defensively as well, to have that extra player in there. Because Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, and for me, one of the biggest assets in the game is how they go and press the ball. And I think that could be quite dangerous to do that against the Argentina, with Messi picking up positions, because normally players have dropped back in, so when they're defending, that type of player, number 10, or if he plays towards the right, back in helping, you could see them when you lose the ball, but a lot of time with Messi, when you lose the ball, he's in behind you, and if you go and press their midfield players, like say McAllister, one pass could absolutely take Anderson and definitely ice out the game.

21:20So I think that's why I'm saying the communication from the back line to them two has to be really important and the discipline has to be top-notch. Before we let you go, Wayne, you've kind of been stitched up a little bit by producer Lizzie, who's let us know that you like to listen to and watch musicals to relax. Obviously, you'll be going to New York for the rowing and also the games. Will you be catching any musicals on Broadway whilst you're there? And if so, what? No, I don't think so, not this time. well that goes back to what you said before big games I've mentioned this a few times but before the Champions League final I was sat in the day of the game watching Sister Act so yeah I love musicals I love the Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli well we went actually again I forgot about it before the Champions League final at Wembley two days before Alex Ferguson took us all to watch Jersey Boys in London in the theatre oh wow imagine that that didn't work too well that one night should have gone to Lion King I know that's not the night out with the famous outfits that photo is it no that was that was that was a night out this was obviously to go and watch the play Frankie Valli was there as well actually no way he was at the show yeah oh my days I love Frankie Valli yes he was there as well yeah you've made boys a day if I'm honest I did think I'd be chatting about Frankie Valli with Wayne Rooney whilst in America at the World Cup.

22:48Whilst getting brutally summer. Yeah, I just feel like you've made this little fat kid's dream come true. I love musicals too, Wayne. What did you call him? Hey, wait, I absolutely love musicals. I do a little bit of singing myself. But if you ever want to go to anything, I'd love to accompany you to a musical. No problem. I'm sure we can arrange it. Please don't feel under any pressure to do that. Can you just reassure us quickly, Wayne, that England are going to beat Argentina? Yeah, I think they will. I really do. I think we'll win I think it'd be tough it'd be tough if we do win to go and play a very good Spain team but yeah I backed England before the tournament and nothing's changed I still think we'll win it Lovely Love it Thanks so much Wayne Nice chatting to you Cheers Wayne Good luck out on the river Cheers Thank you guys See you on Broadway Cheers Thank you See you later Bye Do you remember when we had Kasper Schmeichel over to our house and I'd said to you obviously don't show him photos of all of the goalie gloves that you've got because that would be embarrassing and as soon as the interview finished you started showing him the photos of your Goldie class he brought it up and it was, he didn't and it was embarrassing I think that that was toe curlingly awful I don't think as cringeworthy as you desperately saying to Wayne Rooney oh can we go to a musical together I'll wear my Grimsby shirt you were mate the poor guy, I mean he's very polite about it hear me out, footballers aren't often into musicals, okay?

24:17He's a footballer. What are footballers into? Go now, Calvin Harris, vodka, FIFA. Do you know what I mean? That's the trio. Yeah. And if you are a footballer, and this is an open invitation, if you're a footballer listening to this, no, seriously, you probably haven't got that many allies in theatre, like, friends, okay? So, like, oh, actually, who can I go to the theatre with? Imagine. Wayne Mooney's not going to go and watch Cats with you. No, but listen. He's not. who's Wayne Rooney going to watch Cats with do you know what I mean because Killeen maybe Killeen yeah but Killeen's also busy so imagine Wayne in his heyday at Man United lads yeah Rio do you fancy Phantom exactly no it'll be like Rolls Royce yeah well there you go so I just thought well do you know what I'll offer myself up I like going to musicals I've got a few friends in musicals lot clanging shout out to Luke Kempner and Lamey's I know Luke Kempner he's a lovely lad so I just thought you know Offer it out.

25:14And if there are any footballers listening or watching that are like, do you know what? I love musicals, but I don't really have anyone to go with. Lloyd Griffiths, man. That is me. Just drop me a DM on LinkedIn and we can sort it all out. If Wayne Rooney goes to a musical with you, I will pay you£100. That'll be great. That'll pay for two drinks at the interval. And maybe some popcorn. And that is a lifelong... I will pay that out at any time. But on your deathbed, when you haven't been to a musical with Wayne Rooney, you need to make sure in your will there is contingency if you might have£100 if I'm still alive.

25:52You won't be. I probably won't be, actually. The amount of pastrami chips you're wasting at this row. That's a good point.

26:10This is summer at its peak. Whole Foods Market Summer Fruit Fest is your invitation to eat the season. Fresh, organic, and bursting with flavor. Start your day with peaches and organic blueberries and yogurt. Build a grazing board with fresh fruit, prosciutto, and artisanal cheese. Then fire up the grill with no antibiotics ever proteins and fresh produce. Savor the season. Shop Summer Fruit Fest at Whole Foods Market.

26:36Julien Laurens:Get that Amex Gold card ready. I'm too tired to cook. We feeling five guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both. Earn up to$120 a year in statement credits of participating partners. Up to$10 each month when you pay with the Amex Gold card. Learn more at AmericanExpress.com slash Explore-Gold. Enrollment required. Terms apply. Five lives for... Hello, I'm Alistair Bruce Ball and I'll be commentating on the World Cup for the BBC this summer. It's a commentator favourite World Cup moment. France 4, Argentina 3 in Russia 2018. Amazing goal from Benjamin Pavard in that game on the half volley. Pavard with the right hand.

27:14Unbelievable! Unbelievable goal! What makes the World Cup such a special tournament? It's its exotic nature. I think particularly as a kid, it just seemed to happen in far off lands that you'd only ever dreamt about or heard about. The People World Cup 2026. Listen on BBC Sounds. The Football Daily Podcasts. At the People World Cup 2026. With Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith.