Jude Bellingham Always Over-Delivers | Zero minutes for Mainoo 😑

0:00Hey everybody, it's Farnoosh Tarabi, host of the So Money Podcast. This episode is sponsored by Smart Travel, a new podcast from NerdWallet. You know that one friend who always finds the best travel deals, picks the right cards, and somehow ends up in first class for the price of coach? Smart Travel is like that friend, but in podcast form. They cover things like which travel cards earn their keep and which are just heavy, shiny metal. And the smartest ways to book flights without playing Guess the Cheapest Day. Travel smarter and spend less with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

0:34He's the man, especially if it's not Harry Kane, that comes up with that moment that gets us back in a game or to win a game. We're dealing with somebody here, I said since he was a baby, has over-delivered in every scenario he's ever been put into.

0:51Yes, guys, it's another episode of Rio Reacts. And you know what? We've been out and about, haven't we? we've done a few good things haven't we? I haven't stay tuned stay tuned on the channel we've got loads coming do not miss that notification stay on and tell a friend when it drops but you know obviously England are playing today we expected three points we expected the win yeah? yeah before we get into that massive announcement huge huge announcement guys something crazy has happened our TikTok channel has been followed by every player every player favourite player R9 Ronaldo the Brazilian Ronaldo yeah thank you cheers R9 see you soon see you soon what the original yeah yeah yeah hey pardon just wants another picture of me I think I don't doubt that he's seen you he knows you he knows you are you know what I mean oh man so yeah man so yeah we've got loads of great people following loads of players following now so we're going to keep that momentum up man we've got great momentum right now listen as big as it is R9 following we are here to talk about England Now, it was a 2-0 win against Panama, but I know there's going to be some moans and groans, man.

2:01A little bit from me, just a little bit, because... Lows from him. Well, that's to be expected. But Rio, like... I'm ordered. It's a 2-0 win, but we struggled in the beginning, man. When you compare it to France, you know, they're one of the favourites as well, but they're blitzing teams. Like, they're scary. England, are we scary? No, we're not. We're just getting things done. like we've got you look at the game and we've got seven points now right in the group we've topped the group we haven't played perfectly well we've probably had one really good half one and a half good halves of football over the three games but I I don't know where people find absolute perfection at these stages you never see it really it's very very rare you see it like France have been brilliant yeah but the first half in the first game yet they had to unpick things and find a way they've done that but they have been they've been spectacular especially individually yeah but this isn't this isn't normal it's normal it's more normal to do what england are doing where you just you're scuffing your way through the first stage of the tournament feeling yourself into a tournament hopefully but hopefully we see improvements going through the tournament when we get some knockout stages so listen i understand there's going to be a little bit of negativity and people are going to start going oh they're not this they're not that and i've seen it already on social media but i i don't i think it's an overreaction personally?

3:23Steve. I think they've been poor, but I think it's more the things that he's in control of as Thomas Tuchel, which I think I find as frustrating. Because... Which are? I'll get into them. When you look at the way England are playing on the pitch, I feel like they're playing within themselves massively. I don't see them playing with enough risk. I don't see them playing with enough one-touch in the final third. I don't see enough runs off the ball and ahead of the ball. And I'm also seeing Arsenal fans trying to justify scoring from corners, right? Being like, oh, you've complained about people scoring from corners all season.

4:00No, I've complained about people using rugby union tactics to score at corners. There's nothing wrong with scoring at corners, ever. There's never been anything wrong with scoring at corners. The issue has been the holding, the blocking, the nonsense, the boring crowd, the goalkeeper. Let's leave Arsenal about it. What's that got to do with anything? Let's leave Arsenal about it. I've seen that on socials. Right, the other things that have annoyed me, right? no Kobe Mainu and I could deal with no Kobe Mainu if Jordan Henderson didn't come on what's going on with that that's that's a crime I mean his final score was 2-0 so he obviously got something right well the first half didn't work obviously it wasn't working we were getting into good areas especially through Marcus Rashford and Saka who I thought looked dangerous without having any real end product but it's when you get there that's where you need the quality that's where France has stood out from the others They've got in those positions and they're potent and they're decisive and they're opening teams up and they're asking questions of goalkeepers.

4:56We aren't doing that. And I think that when you look at the Thomas Tuchel, you go, we looked a little bit off it in terms of not producing big chances in the first half. Second half comes around. Can you give him the credit or do you go Jude Bellingham steps up? Was it Jude Bellingham? Was it the superstardom of Jude Bellingham that took over the game with his goal from a set piece, but also his assist for Harry Kane? Because we've seen far too many times, even for Real Madrid, but also now for England in tournaments. He's the man, especially if it's not Harry Kane, that comes up with that moment that gets us back in a game or to win a game.

5:31And again, I go back to the point before the tournament, I saw far too many people doubting the need for Jude Bellingham and his team, saying that other people, no disrespect to any of the other people that were named. But we're dealing with somebody here, I said since he was a baby, has over-delivered in every scenario he's ever been put into, whether it be making his debut at 16 years old, if it might have been 15 or 16 years old for Birmingham. They're making a huge decision early in his teens still to go to Dortmund, becoming the main player there. Then going to Real Madrid in his first season, winning the Champions League, winning the treble.

6:04I'd done a call the other day with Tony Cruz and he said, I got one season to play with Jude Benham but he absolutely over delivered in every department when I got to see him up close and personal we won a lot together and what he does puts him at the forefront of being one of if not the best midfielders in the world that's what Tony Cruz said and when someone like that's talking who's lived and breathed been at close quarters with a kid like that and won things you have to now start taking that seriously so all those people saying that Jude shouldn't play for England he shouldn't start need to go and wash their mouth out with a big bar of soap right now.

6:42You only get that in England. You know that. You only get that with our press and our media. Yeah. Because in any other country, you ask Spain if they would want to put, if they don't want him in their squad. You ask Brazil. You ask all these other teams. You ask France. Jude Benham's like one of the first, if not the first name on the team sheet. Where are you seeing people saying that he shouldn't play? Because he's not the one I'm seeing people whinge about. No, there was a lot. Not now. Before the start of the tournament, there was a lot of it, man. There were loads of people saying, oh, he shouldn't play.

7:07And especially when he was going through, Like, you know, him and Tommy T, it wasn't really going down well in the beginning. You was getting a lot of it, bro. It was shocking. But yeah, like you said, Rio, his impact is crazy. The bicycle kick as well at the Euros in Germany, you know, getting him out of trouble. What is it about him, though? Like, you're saying he should be starting. What is it about his character? There'll be more technically gifted players than him at the World Cup. I could probably name 10 of them at the World Cup right here. Even more, probably, right? Technically gifted.

7:37Football's not just about technique. I think football is about timing. It's about moments. It's about mindset. It's about mentality, character, personality, everything that you don't associate with a football in any other world means massive amounts on a pitch. And he has all those elements mixed in together because again, it's all right sitting here going, oh, he's great with the ball in training. He does this. But when it gets into the big moments, I've said this so many times now, his shoulders go back, his chest comes out and he starts looking around and says, right, guy who's going to give me the ball when that moment i want to be the guy and he doesn't hide and that's like i say he's number on his shirt gets bigger you don't hide and i've played with some big players over the years who in the big moments when it gets a little bit tasty sometimes we'll go you know what let him shift they just shift the responsibility probably pass it to him in that situation i don't want that chance because if i miss everyone's going to be on my case he's got the big you know i mean cojones yeah cojones right man we got loads still to come are out on this part, but we'll be back shortly after this.

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9:32your next financial move with confidence. Follow NerdWallet's Smart Money podcast on your favorite podcast app. Do you reckon he's in the same company as Messi and Mbappe when you're talking world football? Come on, these guys are different, man. Them guys are... They've won World Cups. They've been the mean and the reason why their team's won the World Cup. Mbappe's got Hattrick in the final, man. I think he's made out of the same kind of stuff, you know. Maybe not Messi. I think Messi's just, he's an alien. But I reckon, dude, he's made out of that stuff, you know. I think he is. I think it's too early to be putting him in that bracket.

10:10I think he hasn't done enough yet to be talked about in that bracket yet, I believe. But he's doing crazy stuff. And I think his potential is boundless. Fourth tournament. Crazy. Steve, what's this trivia that you've got for us? What's all of this? Can you name the three active players with over 200 caps? Cristiano Ronaldo, Modric, and the goalkeeper for Mexico. Can you name... Well, wrong. Can you name how many caps Ronaldo's got?

10:45287. 245. 230. What? 230. Modric has got 200. Yeah. It might be 201. 230? Yeah. Cristiano's got... He's got more appearances than some people have like, like strikers have goals in their career. Cristiano's got more goals from 30 plus than most people have got in their whole careers. Yeah, the normal plus. The other one's Modric. Yeah, I said Modric. Oh, sorry, Messi. Oh, Messi. How much has he got? Why did I get that? I think he's on 202. No, the Mexican goalkeeper, excuse me. The Mexican goalkeeper's played in six tournaments. He equaled the record with Ronaldo, didn't he? I don't know how many caps he's got.

11:24I would have said Messi. Sorry about that. There's another guy with over 200. He's a Q80 guy, but he's retired now. So three active Over 200 appearances That's insane That's the thing with Lionel We've just done it again At the start of the tournament We didn't even have him down As being top goal scorer You It's not like You haven't had him down As having all those caps Why is it that we keep Forgetting about Lionel Is he just so great That we just No when someone does Something so outrageous And so great So often It becomes normalised So we We almost lose focus Of how great it is that's been the case of Messi he's done things that no no one done before him like and and actually makes most things look very easy beating you for another yeah he didn't actually beat me for the header I misjudged his position and the quality of the guy on the ball which is Xavi so he technically he didn't actually beat me in the air the ball beat me ah I get you but obviously now England topped the group Croatia Finnish second, Ghana are third, right?

12:30Now, next up for England, it could be Senegal or one of the third place teams, which you're looking at, Congo, come on the boys, or Uzbekistan. Portugal, maybe. Portugal as well. How do you feel about that? Yeah, Senegal, I don't know if I'd like to play Senegal. Did we play Senegal before? I think they beat us 3-1 last year. I think they, so that will be in the back of our minds. They'll definitely be having to watch videos of that. That ain't good psychologically as well. So they've got good attackers. They won five nil yesterday and their front line is Saar, Orendai, Mane and Jackson. Like Mendy at the back.

13:10You know what the big thing about, I think in years gone by, the 1990, the 94, when the African teams were coming to the forum, we were seeing them more and more active. I think the old thing that was thrown at them was like, oh, they're very physical. They're quick, they're strong, but tactically, they're not that great. Most of their players now, they all play in Europe. They understand. They're woven into the fabric of European football now. That front line, compared to what I've just seen with Panama, will cause England a lot of problems. Don't forget, you mentioned Jackson didn't even start yesterday.

13:43Crazy. And now he came on. So they can rest players and still do well. So yeah, honestly, it's going to get more and more exciting. I'm going to ask you again, since the last show, the both of you, Who's been the best player of the tournament so far? Who did I say last time? You said Alisse and I argued and I said I haven't seen anyone top Alisse yet for me. Alisse's made me jump out my seat more than anyone in the tournament so far. Mbappe's been close second, I'll be honest. I can't believe that. And Messi. Messi. Yeah, Messi, he's not getting enough shots again. The first two games that Messi played, I was actually with Kaka.

14:24I was in a room with Kaka wait wait wait pick that name up please I'll pick that up sorry sorry I was at me and Kaka watching the Argentina game and I was shouting go on the socials if you ain't seen it I was shouting and screaming like what is this he's 38 man he shouldn't be doing this two in the first was it three in the first game and two in the second game he missed a penalty in that game as well like again doing stuff that we've actually almost normalised for Messi 39 by the way forget it 39 you turned 39 And on top of that, as we're recording, he hasn't played yet. But by the time this is out, he could have had another hat-trick.

15:04And Ronaldo, Cristiano might have a hat-trick as well after the next game. Listen, man, I just want to see these guys keep scoring. And that's why I love more teams at the World Cup. The quality drops in certain games, but it allows the big boys to go and get some numbers and get themselves on the score sheet. I like it. Excitement. That's what we want. Listen, I want to say thank you very much for everybody watching. We're still churning out that content. Finally found out what Rio and Steve had planned for me the other day. It's coming out soon as well. Do not miss this one, guys. Incredible stuff.

15:35Listen, we're not just a channel that talks about football. We're showing you the lifestyle, man. We're showing you the Airbnb vibes. We're just having a great time. Do you know what? Before we go, I'm sorry as well, guys. I've got to go and get changed in a minute. That's why we're rushing enough. We have a massive legend coming through, guys. The Airbnb Villa out here in the Beverly Hills is taking in another legend. he's coming through anytime I've got to go and get changed got to go and get prepped so see you later peace

16:29Hey, everybody. It's Farnoosh Charabi from the So Money Podcast. Today's episode is sponsored by NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, the show that breaks down financial decisions with a team of trusted journalists. You'll get research-backed insights and clear pros and cons, whether you're planning a big purchase or just want to grow your wealth. They explain the why behind decisions like investing, home buying, and choosing credit cards with clear, research-backed insights. Make your next financial move with confidence. Follow NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast on your favorite podcast app.