Seedorf: I love “Old School" Jude Bellingham | People should respect Cristiano Ronaldo
6/25/20261 hr 4 min
This is Clarence Seedorf as you've rarely seen him before - thoughtful, uncompromising and still analysing the game with the same intensity that defined his playing career.
Seedorf joins Rio at his Airbnb in Los Angeles and delivers a fascinating assessment of the current World Cup, explaining why England fans are often too tense watching their team, why Jude Bellingham reminds him of an old-school footballer, the one personality trait he'd love to see Declan Rice add to his game and why Elliot Anderson is worth £100m.
He also discusses the Netherlands' chances of winning the tournament, whether Virgil van Dijk belongs amongst the greatest Dutch defenders ever and the reasons why the modern game is producing fewer creative players compared to previous generations.
There's brilliant insight into some of the biggest stars in football too, with Seedorf defending Cristiano Ronaldo's place in Portugal's team, explaining why Kylian Mbappé hasn't yet reached his ceiling and sharing stories about the extraordinary talent of Roberto Baggio and Ronaldo Nazário Fenômeno. He reveals why R9 was capable of things even team-mates never saw in matches, compares different types of elite strikers and explains why football sometimes underestimates players who make those around them better.
The conversation also revisits some pivotal moments from Seedorf's own career, including the phone call that convinced him to turn down Manchester United and sign for Inter Milan instead. He reflects on the values that made Ajax's academy so successful, why character-building was prioritised alongside technical ability and why he believes modern coaching can sometimes limit a young player's freedom to think for themselves.
There's also brilliant insight into the legendary AC Milan dressing room, what made Paolo Maldini the most complete defender he ever saw, the battles that side had with Rio’s Manchester United in the Champions League and why some of football's most important players never receive the recognition they deserve.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsClarence Seedorf· Guest0:00
I love him.
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:00
You love him. What does he have that other players don't have?
Clarence Seedorf· Guest0:03
He's one of those of this generation that actually is a bit old school. I think he has that mentality of it doesn't matter what it takes to win, doesn't have to look good- Mm ... and beautiful all the time. So he's pragmatic. But the thing I love about him is really his personality, his character. And he's still young, so he will refine himself over time. And then- Do people try and criticize him for his demeanor, like, is, is, is, is that an old school element that you like the way he is?
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:29
He's, he's got a little bit of that- If you- ... kind of arrogancy. I think you need that. The best player have it.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest0:33
Have you, have you played with top players that didn't have that?
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:36
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 yous next. Oh. [laughs] My man.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest0:58
My man. How you doing?
Rio Ferdinand· Host0:59
How are you? Good to see you, as always.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:01
Good, good, good.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:02
Looking strong.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:02
Yeah.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:02
Feeling strong as usual. You been gym today?
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:04
No, coach stopping. [laughs] I heard you're doing, uh- Huh? Running up the hills and stuff.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:09
Only a little bit.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:09
Oh, you lie.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:10
Only a little bit.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:10
All good?
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:10
How you doing? Well, welcome, man. This is my- Thank you ... Airbnb- Thank you ... place for the World Cup, man.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:15
Yeah, yeah, I see you're spoiling yourself.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:17
It's nice. No, no, no, no. They spoiled us.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:18
If you need to, if you need to.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:19
Sit down, man.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:20
Thanks, man.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:20
How you doing? You all right?
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:21
I'm good. I'm good.
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:21
What's been keeping you busy, man? Why you out here?
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:23
What is not keeping me busy?
Rio Ferdinand· Host1:25
Outside of the games, I mean.
Clarence Seedorf· Guest1:26
Uh, outside of the games.