Rio Ferdinand Presents

This is Kaká as you rarely see or hear him - one of football’s most private superstars sitting down in Rio's Airbnb for a remarkably open reflection on a career that made him a global icon and one of the last true Ballon d’Or winning number 10s.The Brazilian legend opens up about the swimming pool accident that nearly ended his journey before it had even begun and why his faith became even stronger after what doctors described as a “miracle” recovery.Despite becoming one of the biggest stars in world football, Kaká remains remarkably humble throughout this conversation - discussing how his family kept him grounded and why his mentality was completely different to Cristiano Ronaldo’s obsession with becoming “the best”.He also gives rare insight into the legendary AC Milan dressing room under Carlo Ancelotti, including how Pirlo, Gattuso and Seedorf helped shape him into a Ballon d’Or winner and why Pirlo could “find him anywhere” on the pitch.The conversation leads into a fascinating discussion around the disappearance of classic number 10s in modern football, with Kaká explaining why the game no longer creates enough space for maverick players to thrive. He names Cole Palmer as his favourite English player to watch because of the freedom and simplicity in his game, while also revealing that Lamine Yamal and Neymar still excite him in a way most modern footballers don’t.There are also brilliant stories around Ronaldo, Neymar and Brazil’s dressing room culture - while Kaká explains why Ancelotti is the perfect manager to lead Brazil into the World Cup and why players instantly trust his leadership.Brought to you in partnership with Airbnb #ad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rio has landed in Los Angeles and invites Joel and Ste over to his Beverly Hills Airbnb for the first pod in the US where they look ahead to the tournament, analyse the dilemmas facing Thomas Tuchel and pick their favourites to win the World Cup.Rio discusses why he believes Harry Kane is the best striker in the world based on current form, what Bukayo Saka needs to add to his game to be considered on the same level as Vinicius Jr. After spending time with Tuchel, Rio outlines why he “loves” the German and picks out one player left at home that he disagrees with.There’s a big debate around how Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez should utilise the presence and ability of Cristiano Ronaldo throughout the tournament and Rio picks his “unbeatable” front 4 that he wishes Didier Deschamps would select for France.#WorldCup2026 #WorldCup #Beverly Hills #LA #LosAngeles #RioFerdinand #JoelBeya #SteHowson #Five #FootballPodcast #BehindTheScenes #ThomasTuchel #ThreeLions #England #HarryKane #BukayoSaka #ViniciusJr #CristianoRonaldo #RobertoMartinez #Portugal #France #DidierDeschamps #Tactics #StrikerMentality #SoccerStories #ExclusiveInterview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Gary Neville as you’ve never seen him before - sitting with Rio in his Airbnb and opening up about some hugely personal topics including the loss of his father, the abuse he suffered when out on the street with his family and why he should never have pursued a coaching or managerial career.Despite Rio’s best efforts, Neville is typically self-deprecating about his own playing ability and instead focuses on the greatness around him - both in terms of mentality as well as the players who were technically brilliant.He gives insight into how the England setup changed from his time as a player to when he coached the national team under Roy Hodgson - and there’s huge praise for Harry Kane’s attitude and “seriousness” about the way he approaches football at the highest level.This episode is the very first time that Rio and Neville have discussed the time that Gary brought the England players together and threatened to strike because of the way Rio was treated by the FA which leads to a brutal and honest reflection on Neville's actions as the team’s union rep.Brought to you in partnership with Airbnb #ad.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Ollie Watkins reflecting on a journey that very few footballers ever experience - opening up on going from League Two and non-league football to scoring one of England’s biggest goals in recent history. Chilling with Rio in his Airbnb, Watkins reveals why he still thinks about those early days every time he walks out for Aston Villa in the Champions League.Despite becoming one of the Premier League’s most consistent forwards, Watkins remains hugely grounded throughout this conversation - discussing the impatience that drove him early in his career, the responsibility he felt during Steven Gerrard’s time at Aston Villa and why Unai Emery completely changed the standards and mentality within the squad.There’s fascinating insight into the mentality of elite strikers too, including why Erling Haaland’s role is “so difficult”, how studying Ruud van Nistelrooy helped develop his instincts inside the box and why Harry Kane’s leadership is more about standards than shouting.Watkins also explains the challenge of being used as an impact substitute for England and reveals the voice note he sent to friends before his huge semi-final goal after growing frustrated on the bench.The pair also discuss Thomas Tuchel’s arrival as England manager, why the squad are already buying into his demand for more arrogance and confidence, and how nobody in the camp can beat him at table tennis. Plus brilliant stories and insight on Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden and why Watkins believes criticism of Gareth Southgate was completely unfair.There’s also a brilliant look into dressing room culture and player personalities - from fashion disasters in the France squad and ping-pong battles at England camp to why Michael Owen’s advice means more than anybody else’s and the underrated qualities that make Ezri Konsa such a difficult defender to play against.Brought to you in partnership with Airbnb #ad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

João Pedro opens up on the pressure and sacrifices behind his journey from Brazil to the Premier League - revealing how his mum quitting her job to support his football dream made him realise at just 15 years old that he had no choice but to succeed.Whilst relaxing in Rio's Airbnb, Joao reveals how he was inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, João explains why he became obsessed with doing extra work after moving to England and how switching from winger to striker completely changed his career - despite initially hating the move.He also tells Rio how Watford convinced him to move ahead of waiting for clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City and how Richarlison showed him that Premier League success was possible.João gives hilarious insight into training ground battles with Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo and Reece James - while also backing James to become the best right-back in world football because of his mentality and leadership.There’s fascinating tactical discussion too as João explains why movement is the strongest part of his game, how Cole Palmer’s creativity has helped him become more dangerous in the box and why he now sees himself as a number nine in the mould of Harry Kane and Sergio Agüero. He also admits he completely underestimated Palmer when he first arrived - before eventually deciding the Chelsea star would comfortably start for the current Brazil team under Carlo Ancelotti.The conversation also gives brilliant insight into the pressure surrounding the Brazilian national team, Ancelotti’s influence on the squad and why Neymar is still discussed “every single day” in Brazil ahead of what could be his final World Cup.Plus there are brilliant stories around Vinicius Jr’s mentality, Casemiro’s leadership and what it felt like walking into his first Brazil training camp alongside players he’d previously only seen on FIFA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.