Rio Ferdinand Presents

Thiago Alcântara joins Rio Ferdinand at his Airbnb in Los Angeles for one of the most detailed football conversations you'll hear anywhere.
From turning down Manchester United before eventually facing Rio in the Premier League, to playing under both Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, Thiago explains how two of football's greatest managers see the game completely differently. He reveals the conversation with Pep that convinced him to leave Bayern Munich, why Klopp believed Liverpool were missing control in midfield and the tactical details that shaped one of the most successful teams of the modern era.
The discussion is packed with extraordinary insight into some of the biggest names in world football. Thiago opens up on Mohamed Salah's personality behind the scenes, why Roberto Firmino was the perfect teammate, how Harry Kane adapted so quickly to German football and his incredible goalscoring record, Lionel Messi's unmatched aura, Paul Scholes' brilliance, and why he believes Pedri is currently the best midfielder in the world.
There's also fascinating analysis of the next generation. After taking on the role as Barcelona’s assistant coach, Thiago explains what makes Lamine Yamal so special after sharing the training pitch with him, why Kobbie Mainoo's best position is as a number eight, what Declan Rice can still become and the advice every young player needs if they want to reach the very top.
Plus, Thiago discusses his ambitions as a coach, names his ultimate five-a-side team and answers the question every football fan wants to know: if Pep Guardiola managed an African nation at the World Cup, would they win it?
If you enjoy in-depth football conversations that go beyond the headlines, this is one you won't want to miss.

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Rio is joined at his Airbnb by Joleon Lescott, Joel Beya and Ste Howson to speak about Harry Kane’s exploits, the contenders for the Ballon d’Or and Joleon’s journey into coaching.

Lescott hits out at John Terry’s “entitlement” after he suggested there was nobody better than himself to take on the interim role at Chelsea and revealed his frustrations at being overlooked for the job.

After spending three international camps and six matches with the senior mens England squad alongside Lee Carsley, Joleon reveals what impresses him the most about captain Harry Kane before a debate about the player of the tournament so far.

The importance of winning the World Cup in relation to the candidates for winning the Ballon d’Or is also discussed - could England win the tournament to ensure Harry Kane is lined up for football’s biggest individual prize?

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After Thomas Tuchel’s passionate tactical intervention helped England turn the game round against DR Congo, Rio is adamant that England fans need to have faith in the manager’s plans.

Oussi questions Rio on England’s poor first half performance before switching focus to the impact of England’s substitutes who changed the course of the game and there’s also praise for Anthony Gordon who silenced his critics with two assists.

With Kane’s brace moving him into contention for the golden boot, Rio discusses the incredible list of names that are fighting it out to become the tournament’s top scorer.

And Rio can’t wait to return to his Airbnb to catch up with Joel who was cheering for Congo whilst Rio was away working.

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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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England got the job done against Panama, but was it the convincing World Cup performance everyone expected?

Rio Ferdinand is back at his Airbnb in Los Angeles with Joel Beya and Ste Howson to break down England’s latest win, the standout performers and the questions that still remain as the tournament starts to heat up.

There’s huge praise for Jude Bellingham after yet another big-tournament display, with Rio revealing what his former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos told him about playing alongside Jude and the mentality he brought into the dressing room at the Bernabéu.

The lads also discuss Kobbie Mainoo, who is still waiting for his first minutes of the tournament. How will the Manchester United midfielder be feeling, and does Thomas Tuchel have a bigger role planned for him later in the competition?

There’s also a brilliant bit of football trivia from Ste after another active player joins the exclusive club of footballers with over 200 international appearances. Can you work out who the three players are before the lads reveal the answer?

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