Playing with Messi and Training with Yamal | Thiago Alcántara takes us BTS at Barca
7/4/202659 min
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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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRio Ferdinand· Host0:00
And, and you mentioned Messi. What is it like to have him in your team?
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:03
He's so good that it's frustrating. It gives you f- this frustration because he's so good and, and you give him the ball, and you're just trying to participate the game, but you're not in the game. You are in Messi's game. So- [laughs] ... you are playing him, and you're there. You're, you're just on the field trying to help and to don't disturb his situation, you know?
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:23
Yes, guys, welcome to Rio Meets. In this World Cup, we're out in LA, and Airbnb have sorted us out with this incredible place. We'll be bringing you the best conversations with the biggest names. Stay with me, guys. We'll see who's next. [upbeat music] Hello, my friend.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:43
Oh.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:43
How are you doing?
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:44
Hello, brother.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:46
You good? Great to see you, man.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:47
Thank you for having me here.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:48
Thanks for your time. I know you're busy, man, so thanks for your time.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:50
No, no.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:50
Really appreciate it.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:51
No worries at all.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:51
You know what? We've had so many, like, legends coming through this Airbnb here, like the place we have.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest0:57
Oh, okay.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:57
Thierry, Kaká, you now, Clarence.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:01
They're all here.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:02
So only the, only the top guys coming through.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:04
Oh, man, incredible.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:04
Yeah.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:04
You have houses everywhere. It's incredible.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:06
No, no, no, no.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:06
[laughs] I know. I'm just kidding.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:07
They look after us.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:08
Maybe, maybe help, so.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:09
[laughs] It's okay. You sit down here- Thank you, brother ... on the seat.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:12
How has been those days?
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:13
This one, you stay here. This side here.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:15
You stay here?
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:16
Yeah, good.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:16
Yeah.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:16
Yeah, it's been good. But today I had a, the last two days, a day off.
Thiago Alcántara· Guest1:19
Okay.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:20
So we had two days off, so I've been chilling, but we've been doing our own stuff here- Mm-hmm ... which has been really good, so... But let's get into it. Let's, this, do you remember the, how we first met or we had the first, the