


29 Jun 2026 · 29m · 16 chapters

England’s World Cup knockout outlook, especially vs DR Congo; debate over Marcus Rashford’s role and how England should structure midfield/attack; broader claims about African teams’ growth and France’s “new Brazil” style.
Hosts are Rio Ferdinand, Joel Bae, and Stephen Housen.
Thiago (Thiago Alcântara) appears later, discussing standards, squad management, and his experience/mentality.
Congo’s tournament success is driven by investment and European-based professionalism; nine of ten African teams reached knockouts, and an African team could win soon (Morocco most likely). Rashford’s stats understate his “eye test” impact; he should start over Gordon, but isn’t “10/10” yet. For England, Jude Bellingham fits best at 8 (with Palmer potentially at 10 vs low blocks). Jordan Henderson is portrayed as a standards/ambience leader in camp.
Rashford’s low-block challenge; Wan-Bissaka matchup; France’s Mbappé/Élise/Dembélé/Douai/Cherki; Brazil ’02 comparisons (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka, Roberto Carlos); Thiago’s squad-management and training-day-after-game emphasis; Mexico City “12th man” as a future knockout threat.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes.
Rio shares a light-hearted story about a recent horse riding experience in Malibu.
“We've got a little moment to breathe, man, because we've been on a mad one.”
The hosts transition into discussing England's football prospects and their opponents.
“Mate, the views over this Malibu experience on the back of a horse, I'll be honest, I ain't been on much better things than that.”
Rio discusses the significance of Congo's football success for the nation and its financial implications.
“it is a vlog not to be missed trust me this guy will have you in stitches that's good man listen Let's talk about England now.”
The hosts analyze the performance of African teams in the tournament and their chances of success.
“But this tournament, I think Morocco and Senegal and maybe Ivory Coast could beat anyone on their day, but they won't be good enough, I don't think, to win the whole thing.”
A detailed examination of Marcus Rashford's game performance and potential.
“In my opinion, he had a really good game.”
The hosts debate England's tactical lineup, player positions, and strategies moving forward.
“with a lot of the players in general Also, he's just played against like low block twice.”
Learn about the significance of targeted audiences and the value of influence in advertising.
Discussion on the best player selections for the England national football team.
“Learn more by visiting acast.com slash advertise.”
Exploration of tactical changes, including player positioning for better attacking outcomes.
“will jump in as well I'm not trying to dream too much, but England do need to be careful here, you know, because Congo are known for getting the one or two goals and locking up.”
A special guest shares valuable insights and experiences from their football career.
“Oh, and organising half an hour, by the way, as well.”
Understanding the impact of key players like Jordan Henderson on team dynamics and performance.
“Yeah, what happened with United when I was speaking to him about coming to Manchester United?”
Discussion on maintaining morale and managing players who do not play in matches.
“or three quarters of the squad jumping around but looking over there and there's a couple of them just sitting there going, yeah, but I'm not playing, Jesus.”
Insights into the challenges and strategies for knockout stage matches in football tournaments.
“But it just weren't clicking for Waza most times in training.”
Exploration of how France's current football team mirrors the legendary Brazilian teams.
The discussion explores the comparisons between the current French football team and past Brazilian legends.
“thing that you do as players, definitely like fans.”
A light-hearted reflection on England's past 'golden generation' of players and their performances.
“Did you have Danny Mills playing full back?”

Get the gist, explore an idea or ask about something said.
On Rio Ferdinand Presents, what are the key points of this episode?
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.
0:00Are you really buying a car online on AutoTrader right now? Really? At a playground? Yeah, really. Look at these listings from dealers. Wow, your search can really get that specific. Really? And you just put in your info and boom. Cars in your budget. Mom needs a second, honey. You can really have it delivered? Really. Or I can pick it up at the dealership. One sec, sweetie. Mommy's buying a car. Mommy, look! Uh, I think your kid is walking up the slide. Kyle, again? Really? AutoTrader. Buy your car online. Really? I'm not trying to dream too much but England do need to be careful here you know because Congo are known for getting the one or two goals and locking up you're going to be learning a lot of Congolese phrases over the life well you need to start showing us you've not done any I don't know if you're a real native no no thimble right thimble she got means someone's getting slapped bro that's it Rio I hope England ain't getting slapped that's it why is no one talking about no no bro the opposite
1:01Welcome back to Rio Presents, guys. You know what? We've got a little moment to breathe, man, because we've been on a mad one. So just chilling here at the Airbnb up in the Beverly Hills. It don't get much better than this, does it? It'd be nice if the sun was out. What's going on? It'd be all right, man. We'll get on to the football shortly, yeah, but first, Joel, you were asking for some escapades and you got what you wanted. I got set up. That's all I'm saying to the people watching. I got set up but no it was really good man we were out doing horse riding in Malibu incredible in gardening gloves gardening gloves yeah but that's because I was given gardening gloves and I thought I would have better grip on the horse and it would help me ride better better grip on the horse I mean the way you were talking about Mikel Arteta to the horse it was reacting in a mad way the horse yeah so for you guys who don't know so we all had our horses right I had a particular horse Lucas who he seemed to be struggling with me in the beginning a little bit.
2:02He was struggling. We weren't really getting the connection. So I thought maybe I should talk about Arsenal. What did you say? Are you sure it was him and not you? No, I don't know. But, you know, we finally connected. You connected with your horse, right? I still can't believe, and I don't understand how Steve was named the most comfortable rider out of all of us. Natural. Is it raining? I think it's spitting a little bit. We're actually getting rained on. It feels like the UK. The sun's come out. It's raining. But, you know, you was named the best rider. I actually think there needs to be a steward's inquiry into that because I thought I was better.
2:32We got to the top of the mountain and you were trying to run with a horse and he was going left, right, every way which he did. Mine was just trying to run at the crew. Yeah, it was unbelievable. It was good though, but we booked the experience through the Airbnb app and there's loads that you can find there as well. We've got amazing things coming up. Oh, me and Rio are going back. Yeah, we want to go back. Mate, the views over this Malibu experience on the back of a horse, I'll be honest, I ain't been on much better things than that. Wait, wait, did you say me and Rio are going back? You're not invited.
2:59Nah, bro. The way you was moving on that horse. Joel, we've got miles to cover. We're doing it with you. You've already kicked me out of a paddle, right? I haven't had a paddle invite since. I've barely had a gym invite since, actually. What's going on? Mate, you were stretching off while we were mid-workout. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, drinking a Diet Coke. It was the beginning, bro. No, you have been on it. I've got to be honest with you. You've been on it. Every day. But you know, the mad thing is, is like, my daughter was like, Dad, I've asked you, I don't know how many times to get on a horse with me.
3:27and you go to America and you do it just because you got a podcast. She was hammering the podcast. Because you got a podcast. I said, yep, you're right, love. You're right, babe. That's how it is. Content never sleeps. Honestly, I loved it. No, it was good. Genuinely loved it. I was thinking before I came out here, I've been looking at different content stuff and I've wanted to learn how to ride a horse anyway. But I've just never pulled the trigger on doing it. Well, I'm glad you're happy about something. Thank you. Probably the best thing I've done since I've been on this trip. Do you know what though?
3:53Because how much of a success that trip was, I've got to be honest I'm going to get back onto the app and have a little look and I'm going to find another escapade that we can go on let's do it make sure you involve me this time I don't want any more surprises alright we're doing surfing surfing no that's not my game sharks I know there's sharks out here there's sharks I'm not risking that stuff I've seen too many stories but you know what just make sure guys the vlog is out on the channel in the next few days so do not miss it turn your notifications on it is a vlog not to be missed trust me this guy will have you in stitches that's good man listen Let's talk about England now.
4:26All right. So obviously they've gone through top their table, but who are they playing at the last 32 guys? Dr. Congo. Yep. How can you say it? D-R Congo or Congo R-D-R. But yeah. This is massive for you personally, isn't it? Really, really big. Who are you supporting? I have to be honest. I'm supporting Congo in this one, you know? Is it? Yeah, because I don't feel like England need me to support them. You know, I think it's a bigger deal for Congo as a nation than it is for England. Yeah, talk us through what does it mean. You're not there now, but I'm sure you've got family or friends who are in Congo now.
5:00How has it been received? It's been absolutely fantastic. This is one of the things that's given the country hope. This is the first time that they can now pour into the Football Federation as well. I don't know if you've seen financially what happens. Teams get like 12 mil coming out the group stage. You get approximately 20 mil for coming into the tournament. Then you get money after every round. Now, that might not mean anything to the English FA. But for Congo, it's huge. I don't even know that you got paid at the World Cup. Yeah, I saw something on social media. Do you know what's the mad thing, which I'm really excited by?
5:33Nine out of the 10 African teams have qualified for the knockout stages. Huge. Is it only six ever qualified for the knockouts prior to this, and you've got nine at one tournament? It's crazy. And I think it's testament to the African nations, the growth, and there must have been bigger investment in those federations. I think a huge thing is that a lot of the players have been exported now into Europe and they're in the European setup, which makes them more professional. They're bringing them ideas and methods back to their respective teams and federations. And again, I think we said it on the previous pod before, like a lot of the African nations or players have always been like, oh yeah, they're physically very good or the federation is really, really unorganized.
6:16And I think some of them still are unorganized, but the players then drive the professionalism. and I see that and I saw Riyad Mahrez he spoke in a press conference yesterday he spoke really well about how how proud he is of the African nations how people judge them there's a preconceived kind of idea that they're not professional and they're not this or that but the fact that they've qualified the way they have in the vast numbers they have I think is a real real real good point in the right direction for them and I think again I think they're a threat to every single team they play against Yeah for sure is any of them close to winning this do you know I think the closest team that could win it for me is Morocco I feel like I think Morocco they're class man like I look at them and I go no one wants they're still not the complete package I don't think and they still struggle when it comes to a France or an Argentina I think in terms of like player for player but they they could do they could cause an upset for sure you could see them reach the semis easily but they've already done the semis I think I think I don't think any of them could win it now in the next two World Cups and I wouldn't be surprised if an African team goes and wins it.
7:25Yeah. But this tournament, I think Morocco and Senegal and maybe Ivory Coast could beat anyone on their day, but they won't be good enough, I don't think, to win the whole thing. But we will see, right? Speaking about the tournament, Marcus Rashford, right? In my opinion, he had a really good game. We saw him and we thought, oh, he's threatening. Now, we looked at the stats and they weren't as positive. So the stats were saying it's two successful dribbles from seven, zero accurate crosses from six attempts as well. And he only had a single shot on target out of five. Now that sounds crazy, Rio, but we watched it together and we looked at it and we thought, this guy's actually putting in the works, man.
8:10He's putting them under pressure. Yeah, I think sometimes stats can skew the way things are in reality. I think that you can massage the stats to suit your argument sometimes. But I think if you're just talking about the eye test with Marcus, I think his whole energy looks much better. It looks really good. His body language is really positive. And I think to really go, this is what his performance was like, for me it was a performance that showed a lot of promise without being decisive and without being clinical. I thought he got into some really good areas. I think he would, up until the decision-making part at the end of it, I think he would have been doing everything that the manager would have wanted.
8:51Running in behind, being a threat in behind on the last man, getting to 1v1 situations. But him and Saka are both sides. It was just the end product that wasn't there this game. But I saw enough to make me still have the belief in those guys to be the ones that are going to really unlock things for us outside of Jude and Harry Kane. But you were actually praising some of his end product yesterday because there were times when he put the ball in. and I heard you say on three different occasions, right area. He said, exactly. This is, and you said right area and you said, this is what Marcus Rash is really good at.
9:22Yeah. He's not just a person who wants to run. He has got really good delivery. He put the ball yesterday in really good areas at times. It's just that we didn't maybe flood the box with enough bodies and it just didn't fall to the right person at the right time. But sometimes if the ball doesn't land on your teammate's head, it doesn't mean it's a bad ball. I thought he had the right pass selection in those moments. Yeah. Just execution and maybe not enough bodies in those areas to get on the end of things. And I saw as well, Steve, I don't know if you saw this, but there were times where he ran at his defender.
9:51Yeah, he might not have gone past his defender all the time, but it was really positive. Did you see that? I still think that we're not seeing a 10 out of 10 Rashford in that sense, in terms of his dribbling. But I thought his delivery was good. And there was a few times where I thought, actually, the players that he was crossing it to weren't taking up the right positions. I think we mentioned at one point no one was attacking from post and then when we did we scored and you're like both the goals came from both of those both of those sorts of crosses and deliveries but there was quite a few times where there was like three players flustered at the back post and you're like spread yourself does no one want to make a run towards the front there so for me I've seen enough that he starts over Gordon that's not even close to being an argument but I still don't think he's at like 10 out of 10 Rashford yet I mean that's the same with a lot of the players in general Also, he's just played against like low block twice.
10:44So it's like, that's very difficult for someone with the characteristics of Marcus. He shines when you do come up against a France and they put you in your own half and he's got 40 yards to run into and you stick a ball over the top. He gets it. That's what his game is. So I think that probably the Congo game as well is going to be a very similar one where he's going to be dealing with limited space and probably a fullback on a winger marking him, which is not easy. I mean, especially when you're playing against Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who... Yeah, knows you. They know each other. He's going to be on your leg.
11:13Yeah, he's going to have to drag him all over the place to get away from him. Rio, Jude Beninem, how effective is he as a number eight or where is he the most effective, should I ask?
11:26Because he's so talented and he's got such a great mentality, I don't think it matters. I think it's like who else is better fitting around that? so who else is more effective in the in the eight or is the next person more effective as a eight or as a 10 and whatever the answer to that is you you put Jude there in the opposite place so if you think the number 10 you're going to bring in has more impact than the number eight that you're going to bring in you play Jude as the eight and I think that that's the way to do it and I think Morgan Rodgers unfortunately I thought he was quite ineffective in the game yeah he did set up Harry Kane's best chance, to be fair to him.
12:04But he didn't really make the performance that we've been seeing for Aston Villa. But I like Jude in the eight. He's all action. I think he's a real, he has got the box to box in him. And he showed again, as a number eight, he can still score. He can still assist. So for me, I'd be looking at the number 10 role. Is that now an opportunity for Eze to come in that role? which is true but then then it really muddles things up because then you go well where's Declan Rice going to play because Anderson was really good was really good yesterday won every ball I thought he was brilliant as a four commanding he looks like a player that's just signed for Man City for 130 million pounds but then that's when you go okay if that's the case then well Declan comes back in as the eight and Jude goes to the ten so I think what he's posing is posing good questions for the manager I don't think it's entirely opposition dependent though yeah Yeah, I agree.
13:00I think against the Congo, I don't need Declan Rice and Anderson. I'd rather have either an Eze or a Maynou and let's progress the ball a little bit more through the middle and let's be a little bit more dangerous. And play a Declan or an Anderson. Correct, yeah, one of them. We don't need both, we can have one. But the second you get Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, someone that's going to put you on the back foot, both of them two are the first names on the team sheet. Right, man, we've got loads still to come on this pod, but we'll be back shortly after this. Keep your wellness routine going strong all summer.
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14:23the right audiences, the right format. Then watch the data tell you it worked. You're not buying impressions. You're buying influence. Learn more by visiting acast.com slash advertise.
14:39Don't you also think that this is, when you're looking at this and you're posing all these questions, maybe we wouldn't need to pose these questions if Cole Palmer was there and we know he can just be stuck as the 10 and produce the magic and then you got an all action, Jude Bellingham as an eight. And then, like you said, either Anderson or Rice as a six. So you'd play, you'd take Palmer before Eze and play him before Eze? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And also Morgan Rodgers, but it's hard to argue against Rodgers or Eze because of the seasons that they've had. But... I think Gibbs White had a better season than Rodgers and Palmer.
15:14And no one's talking about it. You can't say Gibbs White had a better season than Morgan Rodgers because from start to finish, no, you can't. from start to finish, Morgan Rodgers. He did tail off. He scored goals, but I thought his overall contribution wasn't as effective. I think with and without the ball, Gibbs White was giving you more. But you've got to remember, Gibbs White was getting slapped up at the start of the season when they almost got relegated. He came to life in the last 10 games of the season. So I think, I just feel that this type of game, as we've seen, England find it hard.
15:45If we're going to say that Congo are going to play similar to Panama and similar to Ghana, they find it hard to unlock those teams at times yes they've got through but it's still not pretty and this is the type of game where I just see that's why I feel Palmer had to come because yeah he didn't play to the standard that he'd set but sometimes you've got to take a look at what he's produced he's scored in big games in finals he's scored finals for City finals for Chelsea finals for England on the biggest stages so with that being said I really felt that he should have been somebody who could come now listen the manager might have fooled you know he doesn't like being sub will he be great around the place that's a different conversation but we're talking pure football here then I think Palmer is ready and was made for these type of moments and you could push Jude back in the 8 he goes in the 10 and all of a sudden you've got more threats going into the box because Jude's going to go in there Palmer's going to be in and around it to back up Kane and either winger on either side will jump in as well I'm not trying to dream too much, but England do need to be careful here, you know, because Congo are known for getting the one or two goals and locking up.
16:56I know it sounds a bit mad, but... Oh, scoring first is going to be huge. Yeah. Like, it could happen. Whistler's got three goals, as we said. You saw Zlatan hyping it up, doing the Fimbul dance with Thierry Henry and Alexis. Like, you're going to be learning a lot of Congolese phrases over the next few days. Well, you need to start showing us. You've not done any. I don't know if you're a real native. No, no. Fimbul, right? Fimbul shikot means someone's getting slapped, bro. That's it, Rio. I hope England they didn't slept that's it why is no one thought about nah nah bro the opposite the opposite I'm telling you when we come up against teams that are going to sit in a low block why don't we go with Harry Kane in the 10 and put an actual striker in there so you've got two in the box why would you do that because they ain't done that the whole season though Steve because he starts doing that and it goes mental man I think Harry Kane's better when he starts as a 9 high and then comes off and this when he asks the defenders more problems it's hard to mark someone who's like that if he stays if he starts in a 10 you're like I don't know if that's natural for him a bit like Declan in the other way tell him he's a nine and play with two nines because he will naturally just do that anyway and I think he comes off and then you've got Watkins and then you've got one defender then who's going to go do I stay and hold so we're 2v1 against Watkins or do I follow him in there and leave Watkins potentially to run off the defender behind me and I think you cause him all sorts of problems I get that but then like we had a legend on the show yesterday and in Thiago he came into the mate you're just saying it casually guys Guys, the next beats is a mad one.
18:18Oh, and organising half an hour, by the way, as well. It's a mad one. Literally, like, coming round. All right, cool. Yeah, and he just drove by to see Rio, like. Yeah, last minute. He said, lads, I can do it. It's half six. Are you ready? He said, we've got 30 minutes to prepare. But we've got a great team behind the cameras. Shout out to the team. So it was good, man. But the insight he gave us, man, was, like, what he spoke about with Messi. Like, guys, if you just want to hear that alone, it's worth tuning into that. Spoke about what happened with United. Yeah, what happened with United when I was speaking to him about coming to Manchester United?
18:47The reason why he didn't come? Laminya Mao. He's coached Laminya Mao. He's trained with Laminya Mao. What he says about him. I don't know. Listen, there's been a few lovings. Jude and Morgan Rodgers having a lovin' about Henderson. But I don't know if the lovin' gets any more stronger than what he has to say about Henderson. I've actually got a clip for it. So just watch this, guys. There's a big, big talk about Henderson. Why is he there? Why not? Why do you think he's in England squad now? He makes all the players better. If you are going to national teams, it's because your standards are high.
19:19And he doesn't allow any of the players to get below their standards. That's why Bellingham is performing better. That's why Harry Kane is still there in his level. That's why Anderson now is in the midfield with himself, is performing as he has ever been in football. So, this kind of play you need in the team. You think Jordan's behind that? I think Jordan is behind everyone because he was that he seemed making it better for good. That is a massive statement. Like, if Steve ever fought Hendel Manim come on the show and be so wrong. Yeah. Harry Kane's playing this well because Jordan Henderson's there.
20:00Cool. Are we just ignoring the fact we've got 70 goals this year? Nah, nah, nah. When Thiago speaks Thiago, lad. When Thiago, Rio, have you ever seen me more excited to see someone? I came in late. He's like a kid. you was a kid man Thiago can I get a picture pass I'll tell you what what a player he was oh great the mad technician we were talking about the technique on him yesterday before he came it was unbelievable if you're a young young player that is like plays in midfield you want to see how he returns takes it on the on the on a half turn and gets it moving forward he's unbelievable like one of the best at it he still refused to take a picture of him yeah Liverpool player Liverpool you know the rules Liverpool there are rules I didn't write the rules but you know what is what he was saying is like it took me back to when I played and was in squads I don't think people understand the importance sometimes of the guys that aren't playing that are just in the squad and every squad has players that don't actually get on the pitch those players need managing those players need like inspiring on a day to day basis because it can get low my 98 squad when I went with England loads of players didn't play big experienced players didn't play and they weren't great around the place.
21:10And you can't have that. You need the ambience to be really good. The environment has to stay positive. So when you're winning or you get through to the next round, you can't have half the squad or three quarters of the squad jumping around but looking over there and there's a couple of them just sitting there going, yeah, but I'm not playing, Jesus. You need them guys being the loudest cheerleaders. Without going and blowing anyone up here, unless you want to, what exactly is the player that's expecting or thinks he should play and not getting a sniff, what are they acting like in the camp where you say that they're disruptive or it's not good?
21:44No, it's just that there is a mood change. Do you know what I mean? There is like a sulk in a way at different levels. Some sulk more than others. Like Martin Keown didn't play. Les Ferdinand didn't play. Yeah, and the manager, when we went out, I had to speak to him. And Glenn Hoddle spoke to him, but they weren't happy at all. And they show it. But subconsciously, sometimes they're not even intentional with it. They don't even mean it, but they can't help it. These guys... Shoulders a ton. Yeah, all of these guys play and start for their teams. Top goal scorers in league, some of them. Not getting on the pitch.
22:18Most important members of their squads, they play in week in, week out. Like, you've got to manage those guys. And that's where someone like Jordan Henson comes into play, where he can help beyond the management, talk to these guys in their rooms, drive the training session the day after a game. Probably one of the most important sessions in the World Cup is the day after the games, The players that didn't play and didn't get on the pitch, they train. They've got to stay sharp. They've got to stay fit. They've got to stay inspired to train. Sometimes you need a player to be driving that. Jordan Henderson will be that guy in that session.
22:49But you've spoken to us about Roy Keane at Manchester United being the person who drives the standards. You always say that, drives the standards. Internationally, though, who were the players or who was the player that drove the standards the most for England? The training sessions weren't what let England down. It was the games. Okay, so going back, you wouldn't say that there was one person that drove the standard tyre for England training session? No. Like at United, like you said Roy Keane. At United, it wasn't only Roy Keane who drove sessions. Roy Keane would put demands on people and would pull people up.
23:25But in terms of standards, Scolese was the best standard setter in training in England. Right, because you say when you played with him or Giggsie, you never lost. Yeah, in the main night of training, Scolese was the best trainer most days. Giggs' standards were always high like I can go through so many Michael Carrick always high standards do you know what I mean Wazza was a poor trainer most of the time you get him in a game unreal Carlos Tevez not great in training wouldn't want him on my team same like Wazza I'd rather not be on their teams but them two would be two of my first picks come Saturday so but only a few people can do that I couldn't be like that I couldn't train below par all week and then just switch it on at the weekend when you say they didn't train well mate poor Lack of effort or lack of ability.
24:07Carlos Tevez would rather not even put his boots on during the week. But come Saturday, then boots are done up and my man's doing wheel spins everywhere. Because he's just chasing people. I heard laces weren't even done. No, he'd rather sit in and have a massage. Waza, he'd try. Can't shoot, can't pass. Yeah, Waza would be trying things and just half messing about at times. But it just weren't clicking for Waza most times in training. Every now and again, he'd do some madness in training. but then half the time you go I just don't want him on my team I'd ask Carlos Carlos I'm not on his team am I is there a player come the weekend Wayne Rooney last pick you having that but come Saturday these two guys and others you go I can't not have them on my team they're too good look I don't want to think too far ahead England if they beat Congo Mexico could be awaiting in the next round in the next round in Mexico City.
25:04Now, that's a lot of fans over there. Do you know what I mean? I mean, since you've DJed in front of 30 ,000 Mexicans, you've been worried about this one. Yeah, I mentioned it because I think it's like, I always thought, I don't ever want to play against the home nation because the support they get in the stadium and you can't underestimate what that support means. We always talk about the 12th man, it's a real thing. That's why playing away in games in your domestic leagues is always more difficult than playing at home. Mexico. But Mexico. Mexico City. they are loud they are passionate they are patriotic and oh man that would be a tough game I'm not saying we can't win it because I think we still could win the game but the amount of gas that's taken out of the tank to get through that if we get past Congo and they get into that game I think it's huge they're not afraid of anyone at the moment are they?
25:51no they don't need to be with home nature when you're in the United States and and Mexico especially I don't think they they have any need to be scared of anybody because they will use that 12th man and that gives you energy, man. When your team's roaring, you're getting roared on by a whole nation at home. We see what that's like when we had the Euros. We didn't win it, but we went beyond what people thought we'd go. You need it. And that crowd in Mexico sitting will be outrageous. And guys, you've got to remember, our DJs in front of 30 ,000 of them, I know these things. I know what they're really like, yeah?
26:21Listen, this is where it gets interesting. Knockout rounds. You said it yourself. It's not how you start, is how you finish. Because in the next round, you've potentially got Spain versus Portugal, France versus Germany. How different is it from group stages? Well, this is where the tournament really heats up and this is where it's the business end. And like, the teams that can manage the emotions of these games and there's some teams and there's some players who tighten up in these moments when it's knockout football. In the league, in the group stage, it's like, well, I've got another game. I've got another game.
26:57We can afford to drop points here, especially with more teams in this tournament now. But I'm telling you, you're going to see, we've seen some real free kind of open style of football at this point, up until this point. I think the amount of goals drops off a little bit as we start going through the tournament because there's more at stake. And that means more tension. That means more apprehension. Some people get a bit conservative in picking their passes or picking their moments to open up. And I think we'll see that. but I hope we still see the big boys scoring the goals and they continue in that vein of form when you were playing was you looking at the tree yes and looking at your route yeah we can get them we can get them don't look too far ahead but guys have you seen the draw have you seen it's like we if we had beaten Brazil they played Turkey in the next game I think it was and we're sitting there going guys no disrespect to Turkey but if we get Turkey in the next round in the semi-finals Jesus we are going to the final Brazil, we got beat by Brazil, but sorry, it never happened.
27:58But this is the type of thing that you do as players, definitely like fans. You mentioned this France team and you said a quote on Rio Presents a few days ago and you said, France looked like they could be the new Brazil. Can you please elaborate on that please, just in case people missed it? Yeah, I think Brazil have always been like most people from my generation and before like everyone's second national team because of the excitement that they bring to the games, the individualism, the mavericks that they had, the skill set that they had. They made you love and enjoy the game. I think France have now got a group of players that when you watch them, you go, you sit down, you get your popcorn out and you go, what is Mbappe going to do for me today?
28:46What is Elise going to do for me today? What is Douai going to do for me today? What is Cherki going to do for me today? Forgot Ballon d 'Or, Ballon d 'Or, Ballon d 'Or. Dembele. I can keep Bacola. All of these guys can excite you in different ways. And that's what Brazil done. The team I played against, Ronaldo, the best nine in the world. Probably the best nine we've ever seen. Ronaldinho, the best street footballer we've ever seen, probably. Rivaldo, on that day, the best player on the pitch. Imagine being that gifted, that talented, and having Ronaldinho and Ronaldo to be able to play it too.
29:25Who was on the right? Or Kaka. And Kaka on the bench to come on. Yeah, Kaka was a puppy though. And Roberto Carlos on left back and Kafa on the right. Too much, man. And we were meant to be the golden generation. Drop me out. Did you have Danny Mills playing full back? Yeah. He played World Act tournament, you know. Yeah, but let's be honest. Mildred played World Act tournament. Mildred? He was good. I used to call him Mildred. Oh, really? Mildred. So you go through that golden generation, you go all-timer, all-timer, not you, all-timer, all-timer. Like, you know what I'm talking about. Sorry.
29:56Guys, listen, we will be back after England versus Congo. And Rio, you've got that guest coming on, man. Remind the people who it is, please. Yeah, man, we've got Mr. Thiago. He came in, sat on that magical sofa in the Airbnb house that we have out here in Beverly Hills and produced the goods, man. And we've got another guest coming in, which we're not naming. Can't name him, we've got another one coming in. you might stay with us actually you might be the vibes listen guys keep on watching make sure you stay in the comments like, share, comment, subscribe do all of that get involved in the group chats the socials we love it myself Joel Baer Stephen Housen Rio Ferdinand signing out we will be back soon peace
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Rio is joined at his Airbnb by Joel Beya and Ste Howson after a hectic few days where the trio went on a horse riding experience, welcomed Spain, Barcelona, Liverpool an Bayern Munich legend Thiago to the villa and watched England set up a huge knockout tie with Congo.
Rio does a deep dive on the way Thomas Tuchel is utilising the attributes of Marcus Rashford and compares his view on Rashford’s performance with those using statistics to criticise him.
There’s been a lot of discussion about the selection of Jordan Henderson in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. After hosting Henderson’s former teammate Thiago at the villa, Rio reveals why his inclusion is so important for Tuchel and the other members of the team.
As the tournament starts hotting up with the knockout rounds, Rio discusses why this current French side remind him of Brazil in 2002 and how the switch from group stage games to knockout matches affect players’ mentalities.
The trio review their Airbnb experience of horse riding through the Malibu hills and laugh at Joel’s unusual tactics of settling his horse down and tease the fact that another guest is coming to stay with Rio at the villa.
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