Football Daily - World Cup: USA Out & Ronaldo's Final World Cup

Episode Date: July 7, 2026

The USA's World Cup is over after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith are joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton from the stadium to react to the hosts' dramatic exit, the fallout from Folarin Balogun's controversial red-card suspension and the debate surrounding Donald Trump's call to FIFA over the decision.NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and part owner of Leeds, Larry Nance Jr, reflects on what this World Cup has meant for football in the United States and whether the tournament has left a lasting legacy.Plus, Guillem Balague looks back on the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career after Portugal's exit, reflecting on his extraordinary legacy and where he ranks among football's all-time greats.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The United States is about to mark its 250th anniversary. And so on the global story podcast from the BBC, we're telling surprising tales of American influence on the world stage and in ordinary people's lives all across the globe. We have this ability to export our story, and a lot of people have bought it. I feel like the American dream is alive, but not well. From the BBC, it's the United States,

2.50. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. The 2026 World Cup started with 48 teams and we've now reached the knockout stage. Records have been broken the way that Messi has been able to score all these goals late in his career. He's happy to play football and broken records is the consequence for him. And new heroes have emerged. This country's caught the fever. casual fans are now die-hard fans. And The More Than the Score podcast

is bringing you the stories beyond the score lines. More than the score from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Football Daily Podcasts at the People World Cup 2026 with Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily with me Rick Edwards. And me, Lloyd Griffith.

Now there was a couple of things. that we didn't get to talk about last night because we were too excited. We were giddy, we were dizzy. I had to listen back to the podcast before I went to bed when it got released because... Big fan of your own work.

I'm a big fan of my own work. Big fan of me as well. I'm a big fan of my own work. And I'm a big fan of Dion. I'm a big fan of Dion, yeah. Well, hang on, big fan of me. And also, big friend of the couple next door. And...

Because I kind of... I think I was drunk on the reason. result. Yeah. It was... Yeah. Stunk cold sober. Yeah. And then producer Lizzie and Casey were editing the podcast last night and just turned around. What are you doing? It's like, I'm re-watching

the game. Because again, I remember it and we talked about it afterwards, but I was like, I need to relive that. I remember when Grimsby Town, when they get promoted. Oh, for God's sake. No, when they got promoted. Don't touch me. Through the playoffs, through those three incredible games a few years back. I just had to keep

watching it because the adrenaline is so much that I think sometimes you forget what happened so I listened back to the podcast loved it, gave it five stars on all platforms Can you do that? Oh yes you can.

Get on that. Yeah, do it. Good idea, yeah. But yeah, I think we were just giddy because it was such an amazing game and we had to just do the podcast straight away. Yeah. And there was a lot of things that we didn't talk about. Euphoric. And I still, do you know, I still haven't

recovered. This is what, 24 hours No, there's still something in my system. And I keep thinking about it and friends keep texting about it. The memes coming around, the videos. Harry Kane's voice. Harry Kane's voice. Harry Kane's voice. I love that Hurricane has just been getting totally involved in it today.

I was chatting to Kelly Summers earlier and she was like, I didn't even ask him. And I wasn't expecting it. And I'm laughing, but I'm not laughing. But it was all very nice and well-meaning and stuff. I was chatting to Kelly Summers earlier. Honestly, you. Go for yourself. Honestly, we've just got a little WhatsApp group with all the,

Oh, you know. Is it everyone? That's a real shame. But if Sutton's in her and I'm not, I'll be fuming. He created. I think, yeah, there's a few things that we didn't talk about last night because we were just so giddy. One of the things that I wanted to talk about was producer Lizzie, who looks after your... She's called Lucy.

One of the things I want to talk about was producer Lucy. She should know everyone's names by now. I've been working for a while. Oh, come on. Who's that? That's producer Lizzie. Yeah. Who's that?

That's Casey. And who's that? I don't know that, man. He's first time he's been here. I'm just joking, Paul, Dave. Producer Lucy, who works on the breakfast show. Yeah. So we finished the podcast, and she went to go get some tacos from the Mexican place.

In her England shirt. And she was in her England shirt, which I thought was quite brave. Because this area is quite heavily populated with Mexican people, Mexican fans. And they have been lovely. We've on really well with them. There's quite a few people, that video that did the rounds last night, of us celebrating where people were talking about you,

well, bare feet, which is unexplainable, really. A lot of people going, why aren't the other celebrating? It's like, oh, because it was mainly Mexican fans in the golf club that we were at. Anyway, the Mexicans have been lovely. A lot of people wondering why it looked like

we were sitting on a curb as well, which it did. Someone did say, with people throwing change at you? Yeah. I mean, you're not, I'll take it. You're not wearing shoes. Venice is known for people walking around with no shoes on.

I'm just embracing the ethos of the place. You really are. Anyway, producer Lucy goes to the Mexican stall after the game. And can I get some tacos, please? They say absolutely. She then goes, oh, there's three or four dips here. Which one's like the mildest one? And the Mexican people who run this little canatina.

Right near where we live. right near where we live, went, oh, it's these two here. They're the mildest. Anyway, it turns out they were the hottest sauces, Lucy. It's ever, ever eaten. And then after...

When we saw her, she was swelling her mouth out. The lady went, oh, I'm so sorry. Yeah, no, they're the hottest. My mistake. In her Mexican accent, which I will not be doing, thank you. Are you sure? I will not be doing it, thank you.

Are you sure? And so Lucy's like, absolutely fair play to him. Yeah. I mean, we'd have done a lot worse. Would we? well not really no not really no what do you want French mustard

English mustard or whole grey it's not really the same is it well English mustard has got a bit of a kick it does yeah the other thing I wanted to mention just because you see this stuff in films

you see people writing about it you don't really see it in the wild which bit you certainly don't well I'm coming to that okay sorry you certainly I don't think see it back home I'm queuing up to get us some drinks before the game starts

right okay there is a Mexican lady behind me, or at least, I don't know if she's Mexican, she's certainly supporting Mexico in a Mexico show. And an American gentleman who doesn't know her comes up and starts talking to her. Okay. And it's quite bold. And I think, well, fair play. Was he American or was he? He was an American man. And this, and they start having a conversation. It's clear that he's come over because he's like, well, she's fit. So I'm thinking, oh, interesting. And, and then he utters the line, well, put it this way. if I was here with you, you wouldn't be queuing for a drink.

And I was like, that's incredible. If I want to say, I'd prefer the accent. And then, it's even better. He goes, what I mean is, I'd be queuing for them. He's not to explain it. But the incredible thing is, it went down well. Oh, no way. She liked it.

She's like, that's so sweet of you. Oh, my goodness. But that kind of line, to hear. it in life. Yeah. It felt like a real privilege. It feels like we're in Harry Metzali. Sleepless in Seattle.

Maybe not that one. Well, for all the noise surrounding following Balligan's red card suspension over the last couple of days, ultimately the story tonight here is that the USA had been knocked out of the tournament after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Belgium. Well, you say that, I reckon

someone might get involved and just try and reverse it. Have a look at those four goals. Yeah, I think they'll find the White House will get onto that and go, well, actually, do a sun in someone's eyes. And I think, why not? Yeah, look, why not? Get involved. It's worth a crack. It's worth a crack.

Adam, from the Athletic, joins us now. Adam, you were at the stadium just now. You broke the story about Balligan's suspension. We'll come back to everything that's happened off the pitch in a moment, but just on the football. Belgium, just

a bit too good for the USA tonight. I don't think the USA did anything particularly wrong. It's just Belgium kicked into gear finally. Yeah, I mean, I think that's probably a little bit generous even to the United States who, you know, really just didn't turn up

on the night. If you look at the way they've played in some of their other games, admittedly not against, you know, as stronger opponents as Belgium, but, you know, they started those games with energy and they'd pressed within 10 and they had real purpose about them. But, you know, Belgium could have scored

three goals in the first 10 minutes. actually tonight. They were really by far the better team and US just didn't compete. They didn't really lay a glove on them whatsoever and even in the second half when it was 2-1 before that

sort of slapstick third goal went in. They just didn't really have a go and their best players gone. I thought actually frustrating for them that the momentum was maybe shifting towards the US just before that third

goal and I thought that they were, they looked like they had got a bit more intent and they were and then the third goal just sort of killed it. Yeah, I think that's that's probably fair. That was that one period just after half time maybe. I mean even you know they got that they equalized right with the three kick and almost immediately within 90 seconds or so they've conceded to fall behind and I think I think what was exposed tonight was some of their weaknesses in really key positions on the pitch so the goalkeeper you know who is a goalkeeper who plays an MLS. it's a mistake that can happen to anyone, but I think that's always been identified

as a potential risk position. And then also, you know, at Centreback, you've got a 37, 38-year-old Tim Ream, who's also playing an MLS. And I think you hit a certain point in the competition where any weaknesses that you do have are more likely to get exposed. And then also just, you know, some of their big players,

you know, Pulisic, I'm not sure if he didn't look fit or if he's out of form, you know, he wasn't in good form going into the tournament. tournament. He'd not scored for six months before the tournament. He's had injuries. He has some injuries within the tournament. But, you know, he's fallen short. And it was, it was a shame because that, you know, Seattle, for anyone who's been here joined the tournament, is probably one of the best host cities. And there was a really good atmosphere before the game. But it was like an air went out of a massive balloon as soon as that first goal went in. And actually, I mean,

even after the third goal, where the goalkeeper made the mistake, I mean, the next time he passed the ball, he was almost being jeered by his own. fans, which was pretty extraordinary. I picked up on that. And when we interviewed Tim Ream the other week, he actually said something that surprised me as well. He said that we've never really had a pro-USA crowd. And they've never really got behind us before. And he said, obviously, I played in the Premier League.

And when it's not gone well, they've got on our backs. He's like, but I've noticed that when playing for the USA. And I was so shocked. Do I mean, the USA, the crowds have been well behind the team. But to do... But then for one mistake and bless him, you know what I mean, he can. kicks the floor. I thought he's a really good touch. He doesn't see. He's done the hard bit.

He's done the hard bit and all he had to do was just play it out. And it made a mistake, it can happen to anybody. But for them to then jeer him for the, for when he does it next, it's like, well, that's really not, that's really not nice. Yeah, it was almost like, it was like one of those ironic cheers more than a jeer. I would, I would say if we're like getting into the nuances of cheers and cheers. But, yeah, it did surprise me. If you look at like Mexico last night, I know we're comparing very different

footballing cultures in that. But, you know, Mexico stayed with their team throughout last night. And, you know, at the end of the game, there was no, like, players walking around the pitch to kind of clap the fans after three, you know, brilliant weeks. You know, what was being, you know, really, for the most part, uplifting three weeks for the team, connecting with their country.

But it felt like a very flat ending to what had been kind of an encouraging two or three weeks. Before we get into the whole debacle of what happened in the last 24 hours. I loved your tweet this week that basically said that Maritio-Pocciino's got the USA team playing like a well-drilled clubside, which I think was true of, you know,

the age. I was going to say they're more like Burnley tonight. Maritio-Protasino, I think, has done amazing things for the team and the squad and then also for the nation. What do you think is going to happen to him now? Because obviously his name has been branded about for quite a few other

jobs. Do you think he'll stay and build on that or do you think he's going to look elsewhere? Yeah, I mean, they made him an offer before the tournament started. So they've got an offer to do another cycle. So that would be for another four years. The thing is at the moment, there isn't, I don't think there is a job open at the moment for Pochitino to walk into. So, part of me is like, maybe you just stay on what is a fantastic deal financially

with the US team. And I think it's probably then about the Federation and Pochitino finding a balance that, you know, gives him a little bit of flexibility, perhaps, if the right club comes in, obviously that also compensates US soccer are the appropriate now, but probably also needs to protect them in those periods close to tournaments, right?

So that you've not got your coach walking away six months out from a tournament and then all of a sudden you're in a crisis because of that. I think that would always kind of be pretty logical. But it may also just be that, you know, he's done a couple of years in international football and he just really wants to get back into club football. I guess it may just kind of

down, you know, to how much, you know, he wants to continue to be in kind of continuous employment and earning really good money or whether he wants to kind of step out, you know, and try and get those first couple of jobs that maybe tend to come up in October, November. Right. We're going to have to talk about what's, what has happened in the last 24, 36 hours, whatever it is, because the balligan story and the red card has become probably the biggest talking point of the tournament so far. And unfortunately, it's nothing to do with, with football really. Donald Trump speaking publicly about it and then the Belgian Football Federation making last minute calls are trying to peel the decision and then

reports now that France are looking to appeal a yellow card for a lease say it's such a mess and it's kind of come out of nowhere because my and I think a lot of football fans fear was that with this tournament being in the USA and Canada of Mexico Donald Trump would center himself somehow. And actually, he hadn't at all. It wasn't at games, and it just was letting it carry on, and you assumed you pop up in the final, and that would be that, and everyone would be

quite happy. And now that this has happened, he's literally called Infantino to ask him to look at it. It's kind of funny, and also just an absolute disgrace. I still can't quite believe it. I don't know about you. Yeah, I mean, it is an extraordinary

story. It's a couple of weeks for FIFA to start to tell, you know, a version of events, you know, that says they've kind of got away with it, right, in this tournament, you know, despite the outrageous ticket prices, the stadiums are full. Ice, although they, you know, continue to operate in parts of the United States, have kind of stayed away from where fans are during the World Cup. There was obviously visa issues, most notably around, you know, the referee who wasn't allowed in and also visa bond issues for fans from certain countries as well and travel bands. So it wasn't, you know, a completely Trump three story. But he stayed away from games. But this was inserting himself,

inserting the White House, the administration into, I think football fans, they don't sit easily with all of the issues around visas and immigrants. and travel band and all of that kind of stuff. But the point of which you start to interfere with what's going on on the field, are you potentially impacting my team's ability to win a football match? I think that's where both for FIFA and for the White House, this became really kind of murky territory. You can just see the reaction over the past day.

You know, UEFA calling it a red line. You've had statements, I think, from Switzerland, from Germany, from Italy. You know, the European nations have kind of lined up behind Belgium and basically said, this is not acceptable. For days after the red card,

FIFA were telling journalists, there is no way to appeal. This can't be overturned. And then for it suddenly to be overturned, and then all of a sudden, you know, we then find out that Trump has made a phone call. And look, we will never know.

We may find out. It's very hard to know or to prove what weight that phone call actually has. but if the most powerful man in the world is making a phone call and when you factor in all of those things that Infantino has done in relation to Trump over the past year, an office in Trump Tower in Manhattan for FIFA, the Peace Prize, a speech in Miami where he was encouraging people to get behind Trump because he's trying to do good things, moving the World Cup draw to the Kennedy Center

that Trump had taken over, having previously planned for it to be in Vegas, playing the YMCA, for goodness sake, at the end of the draw, I think it then raises questions. And that, I think, is where a lot of people have landed over the past 24 hours. What have FIFA said about what happened? I know they've released a statement, but that doesn't seem to shed any massive light. No, it's like one of those very bureaucratic statements

that doesn't really taste a lot of words. Yeah. And it doesn't tell you very much. Look, what they've said is they take. took a decision to suspend the one-game ban, which is similar to what they did with Cristiano Ronaldo to also enable him to get into the tournament. What they've not done is explain why,

you know, what the reason was, because although I have to say, I didn't agree with the red card for Balagan, I thought it was very harsh, but it was eminently like a defensible decision, I think, from a referee's perspective.

It wasn't one of those that you look at and you're like, I can't see how that was ever a red card. I think what US soccer pursuers, pursued was kind of this idea that it was a misapplication of the VAR protocol, the use of freeze frames and still images. But we see that quite often. You know, we see that in the Premier League sometimes and we don't see still of decision as overturned or, and you know, we should also say, I mean, with the Trump administration, we had kind of between him and the Commerce Secretary Howard Lucknick and Andrew Giuliani, who's on the White House Task Force,

you have them kind of sorting lawyers to kind of look into this and to look into the the Brazilian referee and what Trump said about the referee at his news conference in the Oval office this morning, kind of raising questions about his integrity that FIFA have now subsequently come out and actually responded to that, which is, you know, more than they really did when the Somali referee, you know, wasn't allowed into the country. So on that at least, FIFA, you know, have kind of found a little bit of a voice. But it does cast a shadow. It casts a shadow because it's the day the US go out as well. So, you know, I think it is, it's a shame.

Yeah. It's also, I thought just personally, I was like, oh, it's a real shame because I've been very much enjoying Team USA's success. And it's always great when host nations are doing well. And I'd really enjoyed the football they were playing. But as soon as this happened, I kind of switched. And this is completely unfair on the team and on Port-Fatina. But I basically switched to, oh, well, I hope Belgium win this game. because just to kind of spiked whatever has gone on

between FIFA and the White House. So he kind of made his own, because I imagine I'm not the only one who felt like that, made his own team unpopular for a position of popularity. And you're just like, well, what is the point? Yeah. Yeah. And I think one of the other things,

I think that FIFA really underpriced in whenever this decision was signed off. And I think this is important is this administration, will always try and take credit for something where it is possible to take credit for something and they will prioritise that over the optics of how it looks. So he was always going to take that opportunity even if it actually hadn't been the determining factor.

And that I think is where FIFA have been incredibly naive, really. Because now even if the decision wasn't influenced by that phone call, then the perception that people have because of the proximity of Infantino to Trump, as we've explained, and because of the way that Trump has been speaking about it, is that it looks bad.

And, you know, that is the feeling that people have. That's great. Thanks so much, Adam. Really appreciate it. Right, let's bring in NBA player for the Caps, Cleveland Cavaliers, and part owner of Leeds, basically the first person we met in the pub on our first day here. Saddis might be the last opportunity we have to talk to you. Larry Nance, Jr., how are you?

Oh, what's going on, guys? All friends at this point. I would like to think so. Yeah. Look, it was a great, it was such a good run for the U.S. men's side, not to be today against Belgium. But this surely is going to do so much, this whole tournament is going to do so much for U.S. soccer looking ahead now. Oh, 100%. You know, just the availability to it, to Americans that may have not, you know, had the interest of watching.

You know, it's been all of our sports shows. and all of our news television. So, you know, whether you were exposed to it before, you are now. And, you know, it makes me kind of think back to, you know, some of like our women's team, you know, the Mia Hamm and the Braley Chastain's that, you know, that were so dominant, you know, so, so good back then and spawned this new group of women, you know, that are so, that are doing what they're doing, you know, Alex Morgan, Megadropino and Trinney Robben and so on and so forth. I'm hopefully, hopefully, hopefully this tournament and this team can have a similar impact is that.

you know, that those women did. We spoke to USA Captain Tim Ream the other week about why did he get into soccer instead of American football, basketball, baseball. Why did you get into kind of part owning Leeds United? See, I was, I only started playing basketball because I was got too tall. They tried to put me in gold. I played my, I played football, soccer my entire life. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they tried to make me, they tried to make me Tebow Cretsois and I just

I'm about 6-7, but I do, the keeper wasn't for me. I'm not that crazy. Yeah, goalkeepers are all absolute lunatics. We know that for sure. They're legends. Yeah, no, I've got, no, my brain cells, those are intact. I wasn't going to be a keeper.

You're a soccer player first and foremost, and then you transitions to basketball. Yes, sir. Yeah, first 16 years of my life. Wow. It was soccer, soccer, soccer. That's what, you know, that's where my love is, level of the game comes from. Tim Rieme also spoke about how he hopes, you know, he remembers little

bits from USA 94. I imagine you're too young for that. But yeah, he was sort of, you know, like five or six or something. He wants kids of that age to watch this and then be propelled into the sport. Do you think that's going to happen? I mean, I certainly hope so. And I would, I would think so. You know, it's it's one thing you know to have you know the men our u.s team you know let's let's support them during the world cup the world cups in um you know uh Brazil or south africa or could cutter like it's it's it's easy to not pay attention if it's there but it this this world cup is in our faces and it's been you know we've gotten to see so many different cultures and they you know invade and take over our cities and be so like you know scotland drank all

Boston's beer and that was a major news story and you know there were you know the the Japanese and the such and such down in Texas where take it's just like we've gotten to see you know the joy that is the World Cup and the joy that soccer and football can bring and so you know I'm really really you know I think you know Tim could be right you know it's it's been so in our face that like it's it's you have no choice but to pay attention I've been following your escapades on on Instagram since we first met and became a person best mates on the first day. You've been going to various different games and doing different events, which is great because

people who know you for a different sport will then kind of invest into football, soccer, because you're talking about it and you're doing events. Have you noticed like different fans at soccer events at this World Cup that you wouldn't necessarily thought would have gone there to watch a normal soccer game that wasn't the World Cup? Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. You know, even

just some of my teammates that have no interest in, no interest in soccer whatsoever. They go just to see the spectacle of all. It's the greatest sporting event we have in the world. So, you know, you have to, you know, guys, people are going just to see the spectacle of it. I mean, the amount of texts I've gotten

from people that know that I love the game that are like, oh, man, this side, you know, you might be out of something. This soccer thing's all right. Yeah, like, you know, this. Yeah, it's not all that. worrying, it's like, yeah, I told you, you know, you just, you just got to watch every now again. So, you know, it's definitely opening eyes. That's what I'm saying. Who would have

thought? The world's right. We only have one break. Well, I mean, actually now it turns out. Now we've got, it's come to America and we've got three. But, um, see, you've been Americanized. We have. We have. Although the hydration breaks have helped England. So we're actually quite pro-hydration breaks now. Who are you going to be cheering on now the US are out? Oh, man. I mean, obviously, obviously, obviously. I want England to do well. I want England to do well. But is it not a romantic in me to want to see Leo Messi go as far as he can again?

Yeah. We preferred your first answer. Yeah, I think England's good. Stick with England, I think. Okay. We'll just leave it there then. We'll leave it there. Or you know what?

I do enjoy seeing the African countries do well. So Morocco, Morocco. But yeah, Morocco or Egypt to do it would be very amazing. I think more of the two Morocco are looking very, very tasty. Larry, whilst we have you, do you fancy giving us an exclusive on who Leeds United might be signing this summer? Yeah, go on. Go on. Just quickly.

Just really quickly. Yeah, just come the name. Just rattle a couple off. Look, here's the thing. Here's the thing. If they allowed me to make those decisions, we'd be in a load of trouble. We'd be in a load of trouble. My football manager database of players is long and extensive.

So, you know, they just need to turn to me. Is this a plan? You went from soccer to basketball, made it. you know, I'm assuming a fair bit of money, I've invested into Leeds United, but then you've just won over the trust of all the Leeds United fans, and then you're just going to put yourself on the right wing? Is that what's going to happen?

On the right wing, you're crazy. Did you not see what Dan Byrne just did? Yeah, I'm three inches taller. Big centerback, you know? Yeah, of course, yeah. You definitely do it, John. Yeah, the occasional Harry Maguire throw me a striker when you need a goal late.

Great. I'm good for that. Absolutely. Love, love to see it. Larry, so nice talking to you. Thanks so much for your time, man. Appreciate it. Cheers, Larry. I appreciate you guys having me up. The United States is about to mark its 250th anniversary. And so on the Global Story podcast from the BBC, we're telling surprising tales of American influence on the world stage and in ordinary people's lives all across the globe.

We have this ability to export our story and a lot of people have bought it. I feel like the American Dream is alive but not well. From the BBC, it's the United States at 250. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. The 2026 World Cup started with 48 teams and we've now reached the knockout stage. Records have been broken the way that Messi has been able to score all these goals late in his career. He's happy to play football and broken records is the consequence for him. And new heroes have emerged.

This country's caught the fever. Casual fans are now die-hard fans. And the More Than the Score podcast is bringing you the stories beyond the score lines. More than the score from the BBC World Service. Listen now wherever you get your BBC podcasts. 23, Ballandor, France footballer is... This is the story of the greatest rivalry in the history of sport, A rivalry that split football into two fates for a generation.

There could be no, oh, Messi and Ronaldo are both great players. There had to be one that was better. They 100 million percent pushed each other to the next level. You know, we were the lucky ones who got to see it. I'm Steve Crossman. This is Sporting Giants, Messi v. Ronaldo. Listen first on BBC Sounds. The football day at the People World Cup 2026.

With Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith. Live from LA. So we've seen what must be Cristiana Ronaldo's final World Cup game after Portugal were knocked out by Spain. Ninety-first minute winner from Mikhail Marino sent Spain through to the quarters. Guillem Ballaget joins us now from outside an Irish bar, is it? That's where it is, yeah. The Irish bar has got an hotel next door. This is the whole of it, but through that door is an Irish bar. Why are you there?

I was just passing by and I recognised some of the coaching staff of Portugal, so I decided to join them in there. You're the last person they want to see, Kiam. You know that. What's he doing here? It did feel that way, by the way. And it was after 20 minutes of me chatting away so that you can stay if you want.

I say, Kim, you know absolutely everybody. To recognize the Portuguese training stuff in a crowded bar, I mean, you're like minority report straight onto faces. They weren't in the Portugal kid. Oh, no, Phil. Oh, yeah.

Kind of page. Yeah, take it back. With their names on. And initials. Yeah, I'll take it all back. On Ronaldo then, he was very emotional at the end of the game and was obviously asked about whether this is the last time we'll see him in a Portugal shirt. And he kind of said, you know, I'm going to talk to my family about it and take decisions with a calm head.

But it does feel unlikely now. And we're properly at an end of an era, aren't we? Because it's probably that's it for Ronaldo. Modrich, Neymar, probably Casimiro, like there's a lot of that kind of old guard, and they're out. Yeah, I was at the mix zone when Cristiano stopped about five times to say the same message. It's my last game in a World Cup, number one,

number two, about the national side. We will see because I need to take a decision with a camp head. I don't think he's going to leave the national side. He's got to get to a thousand goals, and every goal counts. towards that. So he's got the Nations League next. Yeah. I think he's 976, 976.

976. So he's got a score. 24. 24. 24 goals. He will want to bring up the thousand. And if he keeps playing a Saudi, he did it in half a season.

Yeah, but Rick, can I just say quickly on that? They got Angie as a manager, at least Christiana Ronaldo managing the history of the world, to actually help him to reach that. It's all very strange. but he owns 25% of the cook, so I think Ansh is going to have to change his ways. Yeah, if he's not happy with how it's going, then, yeah, it will change, I suspect.

I might just bring in a new manager. Yeah, there's been a lot of discussion, doesn't it, around Messi and Ronaldo, and on the whole, that discussion has gone along the lines of, well, Messi is clearly head and shoulders by everyone else. But at the same time, I think it is worth giving Ronaldo respect for being an unbearable. believable footballer, five times Ballondor winner, five-time Champions League winner, Euro champion in 2016, nearly a thousand goals for club and country.

He's been exceptional, Guillaume. Yes, and add to that, and we know the individual accolades we can give him, the fact that he's fought with some big clubs for the biggest trophies, and he actually managed to get them. He was saying today that with Portugal, he's won three trophies. that's about, you know, almost double

what they had won without him. Also, if you want to, you know, the fact that he fought with Messi in the same league, in the same country for titles, and again, still managed to get it. So, okay, I think the three of us agree that Messies at a different level,

but that he got close to it and that he starts, he allows to have this discussion, just give him complete credit. And by listening to the coaching staff, he still treats his body like a temple still looks at it otherwise you know even BSEs at 41 a different matter is how much he cannot and if everybody agrees that you should have played the whole game yeah and

and I think we need to sort of lose this idea that in order to be a truly great player you have to have won the world cup because it just sort of that doesn't make any sense to me that that's not on him is it the percentages don't work in your favour no you can't put that accolade on on one person and sure, Messi won it last time, but there are just so many people greats that just never won it. Well, like an obvious one at the moment would be Harland. He go, he may win the World Cup,

but it's unlikely. Would you say he wasn't a great player? Of course not. Rick, Cristiano answered that for you. Go on. Because Cristiano won in his message today to everyone. He said, I won the European Championships, which is bigger than the World Cup.

So he's trying to win you over, win that argument over. I won the European Championship, so have me in the Olympus. That does sound quite Donald Trump-esque. It's actually better than the World Cup. Is it? Okay, Christian. Yeah. You have a moment, mate.

You won't have heard this, I don't imagine, Guillem. But Chris Sutton was absolutely ruthless on Five Live earlier today. He said that Christian was waddling around the field like a granddad. And he was saying, what is Roberto Martinez playing out? How can you pander to a player so much? And he said, Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez. Is that unfair? I was next to it.

And of course, in that team that you heard, they caught my answer to that, which is trying to say they were close to winning the game. If Porro's header, instead of going to the bar, actually goes in, the deflection of Porro and the Nuno Mendez shot, it would have been won into Portugal and then try to beat that. Because we don't have pace in the wings anymore, because Spain is the easiest team to analyze. And of course, they've got a lot of the ball and eventually if you switch off as Rubendias did for the goal, then Spain can score. But then they had two opportunities, I mean, 95, 96, two headers of the ball, Bernardo Silva, one of them, John Nevis.

They could have won this game. The game was played at what Portugal wanted. Portugal did what they needed to do to win this game. sometimes we see the result and we make a whole story around that but I think Roberto Martina deserves the praise he's got some of the best results in the history of Portugal

in the three and a half years that he was in under him Christian scored 20 since goals in 37 games is not that bad I just feel that Chris was frustrated because he sees a lot of very famous players playing a different way than they do in their kids

and then Portugal was, from the point of a bit disappointing, but Portugal did very well stop this. Guillaume, can I ask you, if Ronaldo wasn't selected for this World Cup, and there just wasn't this whole hyperbole about Ronaldo, should he start, should you not start, is he over the hill? If he doesn't go to the World Cup, do Portugal have a better chance of getting further than they do with him at the moment?

I'll answer that, yes. I'll ask you the question in a different way. You are the Portugal national manager from May, and you've got a sport to select. Do you want to stand Ronald in, or do you want the noise that he brings if he's out? I'll take the noise. Yeah, I think I take the noise.

No, no, no. The noise is going to be, but you want the noise with you or you want it outside the camp? I think I'm taking it outside on the basis that I think my team is better without him in it. Okay, so you don't want a goal scorer, one of the baseball is going to history.

You don't want it in your spot. That's like saying, am I bringing Jeff Hurst along? And I'm not. I mean, Jeff Harris is a little bit older than Christian. Lidica, Shira. Still is older. I do see what you're saying, and Kim,

I absolutely adore you and agree with everything you say. Absolutely pathetic. But I think with this, we were looking at the Golden Boot rankings today, and you've got all these players that are just at the top of their game, and he's nowhere near it. and the fact that he still says he's got it left in the tank and he just wasn't their best player at all today.

I'm not saying he's been a passenger because, I mean, the comments underneath this will go absolutely wild. But I just do think that if they played a different system and just didn't evolve it all around him, then I think they would have stood a better chance. I think we all agree or should agree that Justin should be in the sport and should be in a welcome.

It's how you use it, that we will perhaps disagree with the choices of probably. For instance, 90 minutes today, really. And, of course, it's fine to build a football model with Cristiano there, but at the same time, you know that you're not going to be able to control games because it doesn't pressure high, it doesn't join the midfield. You cannot control games. It will be a team that will defend medium block and see if you can go through them.

And by the way, they almost beat Spain. It wasn't that far. So it's easier to talk in hindsight, if you take your side. the end of Portugal was. Portugal beats us. Portugal's got all the round? How'd you know? Do you not just look at that Portugal team though

and think they have so much talent, so much phenomenal talent that they should have just been playing a bit better, been a bit more impressive. And it feels like part of the reason that they weren't is that they are accommodating a man that perhaps they should not be accommodating. for 90 minutes.

We love to explain complex entities in the most simple way. And I understand I understand Chris point and you point on Cristiano, but I'm going to give you a couple of reasons why the players

that you enjoy at two levels cannot play the same with the national side. One, they are dead. Physically, they cannot do the pressure because they didn't give it every single job of energy they had and the Luis Enrique, whoever is the manager is, right? Two, when you've got people that have been for 12 months or 10 months, playing with their clubs in different ways, try to make them all think one single way.

Not possible. It is not possible. I mean, there's so many examples. Rang, try to pressure a man-to-man's pain, and he admitted privately that he couldn't because some of the players are only used to pressure the ball, different ways of pressure. And he couldn't transform the mind of the players. he is the same. So what Roberto Marguyen has decided is, okay, you cannot give me physically and mentally

the football that I would like to have pressure high, whatever it is. So we're all going to do the simplest way. What is the simplest way to, for instance, stops paying? Medium block.

And just do the simple thing. Make sure that doesn't go through you. By the way, they're not pacing the wings because the one is injured, the other one is not fit. All the less close the channels, but let's be very, very focused

because one mistake, boom. goal of Michael Marino. So that is the only thing you can do. There is no time to prepare them, not time to work with them. And in the middle of all, that way of thinking, where you cannot get the best,

you're very excited, exciting players, you've got Christiana Ronaldo, put him in, because he actually may score, because he's a good goal scorer. I think the way in which England and Thomas Tuchel

dealt with the whole Jude Bellingham element, like, before going into his tournament, and being like, look, we want you to be here and you're a large part of what we want, but it's not all about you. And you kind of almost want Martinez to say that to Ronaldo. And Ronaldo doesn't have a stake in Portugal like he does in Saudi Arabia. So, you know, it's one of those situations where I think if you play it like that

and go, look, we're going to use you for the last 10, 15 minutes. Or we might use you, and it's the first 60 minutes. But that's what's going to happen. And Martinez, you know, great manager. sadly as obviously left. He didn't do that, and it does just become the Ronaldo show. Is Reverso Martinez a great manager? I don't think there's any evidence of that.

I, Guillem? Nation's league winner with Portugal? Nobody cares about the Nations League. Nobody. No, you don't care about the National League. We won it. Of course we care. You don't care.

You don't take it obvious. You know you don't care. Oh, yeah. You don't. Oh, yes. You don't. Why? Why not?

Because it's a nonsense. I actually think the Nations League is better than the World Cup. The Nation's League is better than the World Cup game. I mean, someone's got to say it. Fair enough. I'll tell you what, if we had won the Finalisima against Argentina that they didn't want to play because they were scared of us, that would also count. Come on. As if you could choose which is a good competition or not competition.

Well, I mean, I think there's two that you want to win, the Euros of the World Cup. That's me. That's me. You're a Premier League Champions League man, yeah? No conference league, no Europa League. No, I do like all of those. I accept that there's a lack of consistency in my position. I do accept that.

It wasn't a great performance from Spain. I think it was like a nation's league game. I genuinely thought it was like a nation's league game. It wasn't that bad. I cared about the result. And, Giam, I'm not sure if you agree with me. It didn't seem like a World Cup game. I've seen so many World Cops in history that were worse than this one.

Okay. Because there's so much at stake. Yeah. And also Spain's defensive record at this tournament. We spent a lot of time talking about Spain's attack, and they're attacking prowess and Laminia Aval and so on. But still to concede a goal. And really, that is the bedrock of a successful tournament, isn't it?

Yeah. Do you know how many goals were considered in the World Cup that we won in 2010? Was it zero? Just the two. Was it two? one in the first game that we lost, and then I think it was one against Chile, that game that we won.

And that was either in group stage, and we could see it anymore. So it's surprising to hear that an offensive side that has given football, if you like prestige, by playing good football and possession football and all of that, and that's created a line of coaches and so on,

based on the offensive weapons, is actually going through with defensive work. and the defensive work of the team is just extraordinary. Coercie is just great. Coercie, 12 games plays with the national side. Now, 12.13 ones. 13 games played, 9-10 shoots.

Is he 19? He's 19, yeah. I mean, it's stunning, actually. He looks so good, so assured. What about on the evidence of what you saw from England? England, Spain. How would that go? I was about to ask that.

That's a final. Are you taking us into the final? Yeah, why not? You're going into the final? Well, why not? Well, I'm speculating. Certainly Norway and Argentina. It'd be Spain, Argentina or Spain, England, the final.

You choose. Well, I go Spain, England. If it's a straight choice, I go Spain, England. Yeah. Spain, England. Well, it just feels like before the football that Tuchel wants a team to play, if he thinks he's able to, because I think, like many other coaches,

he may start realizing that he won't be able to put everything in practice that he wants. before the football that he wants to put in practice, you found two stars, you found the wins, you find a huge amount of personality, and that takes you at least to a final and should make everybody scared

because if you've got a goal scorer and somebody that produces, you've got a whole team killing for each other, fighting for each other, and the personality of when things go wrong to actually overcome that. Brilliant, brilliant. So you'll be your job to win it. Oh, that's,

that's, Giam, you said you would be. odds on to win it, but you haven't said yourself that we'd win it. Could we just get that from you? Just say that's okay. Just say that up. I hope we do. We won it already. We can give it to you next.

Thank you very much. We can edit that. That's a bad-handed compliment, I think. Yes, I know. Nice one. Thanks, Guillem. Don't forget you can get in touch with us like our good friends, Greg James, Steve from Gillingham.

Vicania say WhatsApp or a voice note to 08-80-289-389-369. We got contrary for you of the last two games in the round 16 on Five Live Sports. Argentina, Egypt from 5pm, Switzerland, Colombia, from 9pm. And to get new episodes of the Football Daily, wherever they drop, subscribe to the feed. And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So much sport today and all the goals as they go in up and down the league. This is Five Live Sports. It's all eight for the lights and fit in a floor.

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