The Dutch National Team Outlook

I love him. You love him. What does he have that other players don't have? He's one of those with 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 He's 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 the time. The people try and criticize him for his demeanor like. Is that an old school element you like? the way he is? he's got a little bit of that It feel an arrogancecy. I think you need that. have you played with players that didn't have that Yes, guys, welcome to Ro Meets In this worldld Cup We're out in LA And Airbnb has sorted us out with this incredible place. We'll be bringing you the best conversations with the biggest names. Stay we guys We'll see you next Myi man. M man, how are you doing the threeys. G good. Looking strong, feeling strong as usual. You've been gym today? Look we'opking. I what you' doing Running up the hills and stuff. O over Okay Are welcome man. This is my Airbnb. place for the World Cup, man. Yeah yeah, he' playself. No, no, no, no. They if you need to Sit down man. How you doing. I'm good. What's been keeping you busy, man? Why are you out here What is not keeping me busy? Outside of the games, I mean. Outside of the games Now actually the games are occupying a lot of time. Yeah, yeah yeah. was because not also because I like what I'm seeing. games. Yeah, I think I think the smallest nations they really step out of the game and They're competitive, so I like that. You' not t no paddo on if you're like it Battles for lazy people What does you mean Socializing l I'm a cam. I'm a tennis freak. Are you that tennis? Yeah. All about tennis. Are you good No I mean I can enjoy. A you better Ral? I've seen online play like plays a lot. Yeah, but okay. now, you know in sports you also need to be able to run and common. I don't know who's more passionate than him my But we played a few times together against each other We love it Yeah. And when I play ten, it's not about winning. it's really just the joy of being outdoor. Outdoor sports is what gets me going. When I need to go to the gym, I do it because I need to. Thanks for coming man, I appreciate. lily. I know, we've been asking for time, man you' to get. But now seriously it's good man, because obviously we get loads of the guys come for through, loads of the big legends come for through and it's kind of Soatus get behind the scene, see what they're up to a little bit behind the mask because sometimes we're on TV a little bit like You' governed a little bit, but here hiously you can relax and chill you know look after. Yeah ye for sure. So you've been to a lot of mashes, by the way, It's been the best time so far The best match. best f Oh Japanese, is it? I'll see they clear up the stadium after before they go. Yeah. during before, during and after different L time, I didn't see a fan base push the team the way they did. Oh wow. The Nethers was you know, was ahead twice And they were just going, boom, boom, but in a very like loud and a jet way. And then they clean up everything. I mallin was like We actually commented on that They have their bags in their hands, of course already. We know it, but every time you see it and then you see the other matches and everybody leaves everything everywhere I mean, it's beautiful. I saw you went to England game so I thought you were going to say England. fans who are the best fans you've seen but it's fine listen, the English fans need to learn to be more loud during the matches. They're watching the match in all the attention, everything scared I don't know. And I mean Imagine how England's finished, right? Soccer, Bellingam Russian Rushf King That's frightening, okay. So I think that any defense that would look and say no, we need to face these guys So I think and I hope they will be fit enough Saka of course came back not so long ago from his injuries But if you have those guys fit and you have bench, which you guys have as well. The depth is crazy Yeah. and then the French depth is also ridiculous. When I talk about midfielders like you're one of the best one definitely one of the best I've played against and the best of our generation easily. Engl' midfield is a really like Big talking point. First of all I' going to start with billing them I love him You love him. What does he have that other players don't have Well, 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 and beautiful all the time. so he's pragmatic He has big personality which I love, which is needed. and he transmitted that to his teams and stuff and if he's fit, which finally is because this year was was tough up and down, the club was in difficulty, the team wasn't really good. Um, and I think this goal really will help him to, you know, Rise' game even more. But the thing I love about him is really his personalities character And he's still young, so he will refine himself over the time And you don't want him to be perfect right now, you know, Let him make some mistakes, let him But he has a positive attitude The people try and criticize him for his demeanor I like. Is that an old school element that you like? the way he is? He's got a little bit of that an arrogance. I think you need that have you played with players that didn't have that I didn't I think they all had that kind of conviction and drive because it's the drive. People might not understand att a certain level, you're so competitive First with yourselfl that it might appear others in a way because they can't understand, they can't relate you're on that level. Yeah, we can rel it. I love what I see from him since the first day he came in. then there are things you can refine, as I said, you can become you know, certain moments can be a little bit less some moments bit more but Whatne of those things he can refine you think I think I think he's sometimes a bit emotional in his reactions on the pitch, which might take him a little bit out of his center whichich is also very I had similar things when I was young because you're so into it and you want to show and you want to do So but that comes with time and you get more experience and you know No I rather have that abundance of that then have to push. guysu to have that drive and to Oh Even even sometimes a fight is fine I hate when things are too flat. Yeah and you will confirm we haven't played with teams that There weren' fights in the team when we were winning There was always something happening because everybody wants to Yeah I about you. Yeah, yeah. And it's about how do you accept each other's characters and you know, uh, and make that a mix for a winning team. and I believe that Every time I did you know, um that was part of her winning team all those different personalities, big personalities It was not an eagle tripping personality. It was a personality that would drive the team to you know over the finish line we recognize that some other plays are in their moment at that moment. So let's use him. let's feed him I mean, those are normal things and I believe he's very generous Bellingham when he plays He generally tries to find the right solutions for things. So it's not all about him. And I can see through the lines that Make sure a real leader as well. I agree with you about him. I love him. I think he's huge and I think he's a big moments player But in some ways, you might need to build the system a little bit around him to make him thrive. What do you think about that? No, I don't think he needs a system. I think actually, especially with the tellers that England has I would like to see Rice step up a little bit more, go and get the balls a little bit more. He has it. He should deeper is. Yeah, a little bit deeper, clloser to the you know, get the balls from the defense and start the buildups U because otherwise he will come into it when what I've seen from him which you will learn as well u to you know, to balance that more is when he sees that the ball is not coming. You will go and get it. which is sometimes good, but sometimes you also need to be patient. U And I think that the midfielders of England half enough quality personality as well to keep him closer to Kane, keep him closer to you know, the offensive players to be that connection because the moment he goes lower a little bit then he is actually not a connection anyore. He will have to drive the ball more. risk to losing balls in important places. So those are the small things but we're talking about churity. com. Yeah. I mean We're trying to criticize somebody who is doing amazingly in my opinion for his age and everything. I agree. You mentioned Deim Rice, what do you m about his game I think he's a bit timid as what sometimes. I think he Yeah. I don't know I think' his character. In what way th? No, in the sense that As good as he is He he so I would like to add some elements of Bellingham in his personality, if you know what I mean. Okay, give me the ball, G and get the ball send people away, you know, he' he's a key midfielder He was a keyid fielder during the season for Arsenal this year this season, the last season as well. I think he also will grow I mean, we're talking still about, you know how old you know? twentyenty seven, Dlin. Yeah, so I think he's getting also to point of, you know, full maturity and everything. And I'm saying this in a good way. I like how he plays generally And sometimes these type of players the timid part of them would, you know, okay, now you get the ball or you take the shot or no, no Go and try and do your thing again. Hate the game, but' sc for you your center midfielder. This is your You know, your game Um But I have to say Looking at the first match, this was a decent first match. o. The first matches, you know how this is so so hard had to wait for two weeks fresh. You just w give me the game. Exactly.. So now that is out and now I think, you know Iice is broken and I think they will for more freer. secondecond half exactly, they were a bit more free. They were very stiff first half a little bit, but cane man. I love it. We'll get to a little bit but just other midfield the last one is going to be a hundred million pound player if we believe the reports that are coming Anderson What do you see in him that you go, yeah, I can see that or are you? Yeah, I can see that. He has flair, his personality, he's complete as well. I mean, and then the bench. So you have co stals there. I mean, so I think that England is in a very good place. to grow into this World Cup And yeah, I like the kid. I think he he's good I think it's good. Well, let's talk about you, man. It's more about you And IX man, the academy is and was so famous. Um Is there any I've never really talkld you about this, but is there anything that they've taught you that you think has really disappeared from the game now. I think it's more of character building That was one of the key elements when I grew up in IX It was not so much about technique. We would work on that But it was about discipline. It was about, you know having those characters of personalities that they would manage, not kill the personality, but they would manage them. I mean, we would have all guys with big personnelities coming out like from Afghanav, it's like cllav. the guys that I grew up with more lesson and we can name M of them And I think that has changed a little bit over time. It has become more about ics about technique which For me, it is a no brainer We' playing football. So those are the things you need to but what is going to be the added value to become a top top player It's your personality, it's your character, it's your mentality it's all those other elements BionS has gotten less attention now. also in the way they recruit players, the coaches became almost like they're playing playaystation sometimes with their teams. even from the bench to try to tell them what to do and everything. So But that is almost a standard now I think that is because from the youth, they're just not giving that freedom of thought and you know, decision making and Creativity is not really stimulated as much. Just like take us back to when you was a kid last So we used going outo the pitch Was you was you kind of like told tactically strategy wise where you need to be alwaysack Carence You've got the ability, you've got the skill. Gone work out What was it for you? What did it? Yeah, so I mean You lose the ball, make sure you run back simple when we had the ball I mean, we would do our thing I don't remember any indications from by the way, my coach when I started the I was he was a cyclist He couldn't really play football that well. He didn't have a football background. but he was an educator. And I think that is one of the other things that I stress out that's one of my things that I actually occupy myself with a lot is to challenge this system where we have all kinds of Yeah you know, trainers and coaches and stuff, but we need educators From a certain age to certain ages, you need to adedocate the youngstest with those values that will make the difference at the end. Okay. This is a tough match So who can dig deeper? Those were the reasons he was saying those things to us This is the reason he was talking about the discipline hard of me. Yeah. he was very tough, especially on the most talented players. He would not leave us alone. we won six no. it had to be ten ality again. You were never happy. so those small things were the big elements for My a bringing? in the system. That's huge. Just in terms of percentage wise, what is the balance between mentality ability in terms of being successful You think because I think a lot of parents Look at their young kids nowadays they're training them up, etcetera. but they might be training much the wrong thing and that's why I what's to balance, you think I don I mean, I think everything is so personal really. It know about you, but I I had my my natural talents that I would work on Oh consciously, you go to where you feel that you arere good at So you want to improve that and improve that. and then You get the feedback from the coaches, you get the feedback from my father and then say, o Okaykay, but work on your left or work on this or work on that And then you would go go out things that Obviously today is so much less. We go out in for hours, passing, passing through the wall, doing this and playing alone putting the ball in the air and then go to a pitch, you know, that you had to go with the bike twenty minutes just to go and shoot and shoot The most annoying part of that would you have to go and get your ball.. If the ball went and there's no nets. you had no nets. No nets. Yeah Nobody there. And then so imagine the drive to You know, just want to prove yourself. And I think I think that is what we need to try to trigger within any talent in whatever. triggerered that in a drive to improve. Talking of working on your skills and whatnot, you was obviously ridiculously skillful, right Would your skills set be more appreciated in today's game than when you actually played years ago, you think? I never used my full skill set in matches was not necessary Oh talk me through that. You can make a choice when you play matches. Matches can be very easy. You can do all kinds of stuff. So my skills, my full skill set, I never applied all my skill sets in the match because someome are not really be used in a match or in certain situations With that, I want to say I could be more of an entertainer if I would just go and do certain skill sets, but You play to be effective more efffficiency, effective functional technique and speed That was my thing. And that was why why for example, R nine was for me on a different vel. What do you mean? Be of that that Um So me on and had more skills than we saw. Oh yeah So it was that Oh yeah, training and training. I mean, you've played with some crazy skillful guys. Did they do all those things that you would see in training in the match Dicult Maybe you just think about it. Michael Owens would be the only one I didn't see do what hed done in a lot of games in training. But like Kigsy would do mostort stuff that he would do traded it much But Gixie was also Very to the point. Yeah So the skill he would use and I'm sure Gix could do more than what Christiano at M United was doing what he was doing in training. Yeah, he was exaggerated. He did the opposite. exaggerated in the matches in the beginning of his career Yeahember. And then he started to become more efficient Eicient, effective. and then he stopped doing the things that were great skills but not so useful. I think Christiana is actually a great example. that it's an example of intelligence as well because He was also super young when he started doing all of that But then it's okay If I'm just getting in the box at the right time, I'm left and right, I can shoot So less was more And that's what I mean it's of course a lot of skills are needed in matches, but The full package We don't need a full package to be what we became at the end on the pitch. It's funny you say that because the last episode of Reo Meets, we had Tier Rion and he said efficiency is sexy And it was like ye, it's a common femaver between top players. He's another guy. Yeah. He's another guy. I didn't play with him, but We had some and I know he's so much more skillful than the things that He did and how efficient was he with the simple things he was doing for Dennis Berrkamp. Belve me, he also was more skillful then the thing and Yeah, I mean, you're not can understand what I mean with this because the things are still the skills you would see in the metro were crazy But I think it's how you use it when you use it. and I think that's where again, the efficiency Wow. are choices how I'm going to control this ball under my foot or I'm going to stop it so the ball iss in front of me so I can immediately do something with it. Today, you see a lot of stopping under the foot Now I'll say when it's under your foot unless you're defending it. You're not ready to pass the ball very simple. If it's under your foot, how are you going to pass about? put it in front of you, so you're always ready to pass the ball. As a midfielder, I wanted that ball to be ready all the time Because if somebody would make a run, I would like to be ready to give it, Yeah, But if it on my foot because I wanted to control nicely those small things That's what Rquel me used to do though Yeah. Kil me used to roll the boarder stunts. Yeah, I know what you mean. But he was ready. He was ready. I mean to be special to do that. Exactly. Now, you put it under your, you know, under your foot and Yeah, It's of course a general talk here. There's some moments that you have to put it on your foot But it cannot be the norm In my opinion unless you're special. So what separated online? like from everybody else I think just the completeness everything and in any part of the pit where he would have the ball, he would know what to do speed of execution, meaning the speed of thinking. and decision making. There's this animal that fights snakes And that se is the attack in slow motion. I had the feeling That was I one behind him You know, I've drirew with some people as well and stuff. But then after the second one, it's all intuition. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I'm just go But I had a feeling with him that he was knowing exactly what he was doing one, two, three, four, and then still be clear in the mind what you're going to do after. So four K HD. Yeah, yeah, just ahead. He se things in slomotjion. that was my that was my feeling with him in the vision and Its a Mongoose. Mongoose. That's it. That's it. That's the one. Oh the Mongoose. Yeah the eyes of the Mongoos You would go into the action full speed but see things in slow motion That was my feeling and, um, As we said before, efficiency. it was not just about skills and doing tricks and stuff He would use them but need it. But then the, you know, the skills and speed, which we know how difficult that is And then we don't have to talk about finalizing stuff. But again, we don't want to compare, you have the messy, you have, you know Rontinuous amazing Rvalo those amazing Yeah U in my place Che last years for me has gone to has gone to a different different level. For me, the beauty is that they're all different and that I can appreciate, you know, how they interpret the game and how they make a difference for the team. Kane's finishing for me is the best out of the currents Wow Number nine. Wow clean clean fusion. Yeah. I lackking him to a golfer swing doing just like he I keep saying this He's done you can see he's done thousands of reps Yeah because everything's just left or right anywhere he is, it's just a clean the head still It's just perfect, you know I mean, the way he goes up to a ball. And I know you like details like that because I would love to see it again. In training is when you get to know your teammates really. and how they actually perfecting their skills I can go back to Shevhenko who was an incredible finisher, right But he would work on it every single day There reps. ten minutes, five minutes, bum, bum, bum. And then Of course it becomes automatic. You don't think anymore when you're playing So yeah, I love those. And other thing I love about Kane is when he drops back And he gets the ball in the midfield. he already knows the guys are running. So he's a complete player and those were the things of Ronaldo as well. And another thing is making the So if If another player is in a better position to score Bass would go there. That's the thing I love about Messi, by the way. Yeah. so if he can shoot himself But there's another player who's in a better position generally, he would choose to pass the ball still That for me is genius of course, for me because the instinct I want to scoring is amazing. No That's true. But again on that interview with Terry, who trained and played with Messi, he was saying like his work rate is so underrated and like like you're talking about the top players, the best players or any player work rate' got to be a fundamental What what you do? What ic You don't stay on the top without proper work ethic. doesnn't happen So which team could you would you be suited to play in today's time. or before. Be you watch so many teams No. Which one would you guys know that would suit me perfect.ot anythingy this mare. There I No, I'm saying it because I played with for different clubs that had a different style of playing As I said before, the only thing that I missed was playing in England sense Why didn't you come to England, ma'? I was almost twice to come to you guys. T. Yeah. When I was there. Yeah, D donon't lie, man. Yeah, but in the beginning In the early years But then pain Spain and Italy were the pleases to be Then Premereague took off H terms of the best placeers we start going to, but I was still at Aim Milan at the point I did ten years at Aim Man. So who approached you then Well, I had arsenal in Manchester United in Re Madrid when I went from Sambori to Real Madrid after Madrid, the same thing M or less. My united again. And then I went to intertermilan. Why are you going to inter before I United? What's this R nine was playing and. Okay goodood enough. I understand. undernderstand. I I'll get that. And you were because R nine was there like that just because Lippy, Lppy so liippy ne of the best coaches at that time Um, he called me he said u I want you to come and play behind Christian Varian E Beronaldo I said you can't say when and where, I need to present myself. I myself Yeah, I mean These are moments and As I said, I think I mean, there if there's any club in England mostost likely the three because I grew up watching watching the Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester United Arsenal, these were iconic clubs and And so I would have loved to And then years later, when Anchloti went to Chelsea They were that was alsoso talks, but it didn't happen. Just I need to go back to this move to interia. Just you're a number ten going in there to play behind Christian Verry who went for like Wld record almost, I think for Chance. Oline The other strik's day was Racoba? Yeah Zamarana Who else was another one? Zamorano Badjo Bjier Roberta Badjer. You know almost I almost got emotional the other day when I met him because he was my guy. You don't know. So hear in guy in training sometimes It was like he had glue on his foot The ball would come like from the ceiling Dts. Men and in small spaces and then free kicks M Yeah, special I loved him B. Yeah. Yeah yeah. You had you had like Rcooba was on free kickTem timeimes design it. Yeah had a Yeah ye. Oh Racoba The coa was like I gonna to call him left foot like a special left foot Very fast I could shoot from any angle And had this crazy free kick as well A little bit less disciplined over the pitch. That's why I think his career never really became what it, you know, potentially could have could have had, but Yeah, was it was a crazy talented team. That's crazy Yugov Ygoich. Yugovich as well But these names it's crazy When you go through that list, one club, you join R nine, Baggio, Vieri, Roba Mu M took him later? Samurana. Samarano, Samuran, of course. I mean at that point it was one of the that depth isn't around now. That's one club, by the way, one club. They don't they don't build teams anymore like that You know, and also, I have to say again, we were talking about the characters lookook at all these different big personalities characters. Um Hard to find today. And also I think the number nine position, number ten position There's been less developed. because of the way they play today were the ass from the strikers. I mean, you have Holland, you have Kane still is real number nine but in my bet is he mix of things. I mean differentiffere different, I don't know where he comes from it Wow Dout for him is the best And byee You will get there But I am in awe with how he's performing goal wise. It's crazy Its twenty five, twenty six. Right, we've got load still to comea out on this pod, but we'll be back shortly after this So why is he under so much scrutitin and getting so much? Because people be. So I don't know what you think When you were winning with Man United and you had somebody who might not come, I mean, you play with Roononey and he would do the dirty work as well Amazing to have that But maybe Christiano would have done a little bit less defensively. Yeah did definitely. Who cares? The guy' scoring forty goals in a year. I'm going to run for him I'm going to do that extra. That was our mentality, No issues. J just position yourself in a way that you can help us a little bit But I don't want you to go run behind the guys and, you know if you have that in you great, but if not position yourself easy. So I don't know the whole buszz about in my pay he doesn't help defensively. First of all, I don't think it's true I don't think he doesn't work for the team during the ninety minutes. I think he does every now and then You know what many of the striks I played with would do. O nine would not move as much U Raul was a hard worker, for example Mukeke would not move. That was was su. Okay. just give me the ball and I will shoot the top cornerner and so just give me the ball. And then you had Savhenko was a hard worker But there Zagi Would that be that helpful? Just once goes. Yeah But these guys guarantee you a certain amount of goals We will guarantee that we can by the way, do we need to defend an elevant to defend a goal? How many training sessions we did ten against six and they would not score. But that's the game then. The game now might require different thingsings from players. You might need eleven today Do you think? I think they just need to start working on defense. So you're talking about need to work on defense. What do you mean about that? J just because. So if you would have gotten the five goals against Pisian men and By in Would you be happy as a defender? No. And everybody was so happy with that match, Oh, what an amazing match. I said, I was annoyed. I said An anyy sports on top level attack and defense, not just attack. And that was one of the metes where it was just all about attack. twenty five chances. So you didn't like that game? No. I loveved that game though, as a fan. As a fan. ye, okay, but now we also understand the game. so we know that that's not proper football. In fact, second match, Dusarika made his adjustments because if you are winning five one, was it? Five one? or five think it was five one Is any game overer? Yeah. game Oer So Of course, you need to acknowledge quality of the other team, but I think this is generally There is a Wow I just see the teams working on when they have possession of the ball And when they don't This struggle I'm not talking individually, which is another thing. for sure they can improve individually, but I think they are individually. Defend this But you can see they don't work as a line. They're going work as a team now This workp has shown some improvement on that, but in general, I have the feeling that defefending a secondary to just try to be good with the ball. We need goalkeepers who can all play with the foot We Sentia Is why. I think they they defefending now is more. The forwards defend first thinking is forward and is high up the pitch and we don't even want have to defend the backline It's all about winning it as hard you can quickly as possible. and we work on that Yeah and be great at that And the importance as you go back through the team becomes less and less. That's how it feels like to me When I watch games But it's interesting what you say. So Arsenal, the only team you feel that feel like that when you watch the game. Yeah. I mean, I think Arsenal add a little bit to their offensive capacities as well because they have more than I think that they use many times But at least they respect look, they went how far they went because of a good defense. The best defense generally is the one who reaches the finals and who wins And so because you have The strike has to scored one goal or the two goals. but now it's about okay, you need to score four goals to win a match. How? And I think That is something and also to take it a little bit further What kind of messary sitting to the youngsters who watching, Oh, you don't have to defend. What do you mean? Run back And make sure you're together and help each other to No, I only play when I have the ball. Yeah no sling in. This is when the fight's happen in training. You know what I mean? Exactly. That's crazy. I can't have you hear not talk about a Champions League man. eighteen years old. eighteen years old. You won your first Champions League medal You're the only man to win it with three different clubs four times Rgid AC Milan and firstly with IX What's that like walking around? Be you're walking into rooms with all the biggest legends around and I know you walk in there, your chest out head high. because you know you can sit at the top table. Well, not just because winning the Champions League. I think That is a blessing. play with Amazing, amazing place for big clubs And you always need that little bit of luck as well, you know, to go over the finish line. Um, the thing I'm most proud of is is So What I know I've contributed in those years to the teams on and off the bititch. Big part in all of those wins Yeah all those teams. Yeah. and most of it off the pitch because there's so much happening in the years, you know, playays with some personal issues. There are guys who go through injuries, there are high and lows of the team and you know I've always been one who would activate myself to support from the coach to whoever. Sometimes I kn your support And then you have your guys that you go and have a chat with putting yourself out there completely. And I think that for me, you know how important those moments were four or four for the group and those things. I'm most proud of that. And What is what you do on the pitch I mean That's what I actually was supposed to do R on the pitch we need to perform u you have a team performance and your individual performance, the thing An el I can say is that when it became difficult January my game would rise. And that's another characteristic that I cut from, again, we' talkking about mentality in the youth It started from there because I didn't do things differently when I became a professional player When it was difficult in the youth, I would step up and they would let me Also, just on that in terms of like what you've won, how you played we've travelled around the world together post career and I see the way people are around you and they've got huge respect for you So what you've done and how you played But still I actually sit there and think that I still when the People talk about the best players I still don't think you get the respect that you deserve in. Sometimes you're not mentioned enough Do you seill that scenario, I mean there are I think that we know how things work U The fact that I have somebody like you somebody like Hon guys who I didn't play with and feel that respect, which is not from now, even when we were playing Getting the respect from the players and the coaches for me, this is the most important thing And honestly speaking, I get a lot of love from the fans across the board. It doesn't matter if it's Mreto Barcelona fans or interter Milana, Uuventus fans or Milan fans in Just in general, I mean, I was with Argentina people fans the other day So Th Th those are the things that's you know, are our u, moment that I say, okay, you know, you left something good behind. Yeah, I know, I know if I would have been a little bit selfish in my game. I would I going be more focused on All the numumbers. Yeah. I mean, I know But I know that the guys who played with me know And the pl o played against me also no Be at the end of we know values of the guys we played against. There's nobody's going to tell me Oh, now Rooney was so so no Rooney was one of the best plays. that are played against for sure. Uh and and if we talk about I don't know I'm got Pillow Yeah. also he sometimes is not mentioned as much. Malini didn't know. You know, He's mentioned but alk about a guy who And we have so many Eo someomehere later D Did you ever believe that you was the best in the world at any point in your career? Oh you didid you ever think you know, I'm the best in the world? I know I am? man, we had too many guys on a certain level that would have not been a healthy thought, I think. Now because we're also realistic. U But I always entered the match knowing for myself that I'm better than whoever is standing in front of me kind of mentality You're direct opponent. Yeah, direct opponent teams as well as a team That conviction, yes, always That was among the best, yes. There were some guys as I said that had something different, something super special but it would not take away what I believe for myself. I think And also I don't think I ever looked at things like that. Honestly speaking I was not busy with Th those kind of thoughts like Zidan have played the same with that Makelle Obviously Talk about Zidan But I know how Sidan talks about Makalili And, uh even when he was in in Juventus with Edgar Davz, I think Edgar Davis on your team. I know what it means or not, you know So Schs Having scols on your team or not, I can understand what it means having him on your team or not. So and I think that's what what probably is how we were looking at things. I knew my value within the team what I could bring to make the team better and complete Um, but not looking at the whole, you know, the whole world and st J just talking about that. you spoke about U being confident in not teting. We have some great battles. Aason Milan versus Manchester United. And I spoke with Kako actually on this sofa the other day and he loved playing in that diamond midfield that you was involved in You parallela too so. Kaka and now we're very connected. Pillow I'm sure he actually took Ca came a little bit later. So we had the first year where we had R costa Rivaldo myself, forgot them well enough, forgot And we had tohen Kzar Gibson. so He had to make a choice and pillow Now, he had like four number tenens there, practically And we played the first match four hundred forty two was a friendly, very simple And then he said, okay now this I want to have all my quality players on the pitch So he pulled Pillo back This way we started playing a diamond. He pulled me back to put on the left side on the midfield Rui Costa with Rivaldo Behind Senko. and catusso on the right side And it clicked Imediately So you're really narrow Yeah, yeah, we just did our things Ku Kfu came later, but Kafu came And we had on the left side first year S Jinio. Amazing bler. And then in the year after we got Astam Kuffu Nesta Mardini So Aina. And u That was a luxury. so he could, you know, I feel like could permit himself to risk a little bit more with some, let's say, more technical players because of that crazy defense that we had U But it was also the mentality at the end we would do our work without the ball and everything R But if you look back, I mean, I think that that team The way he set it up with Pilo was a start then to come and bring Kaka in cut came after his father left, I believe and then Rikosta went to the bench im maged There's big clou in as well. Yeah, super, super. And u And for many years we played with Kaka behind the two strikers and Zagens. then Krespo came and I mean, Milan was You had crazy top top top players came in. How good was Kaka Madam So Kaka was was I had a feeling he could put people asleep with how he behaves and stuff and then he would start running and the guy was super fast, right? And he had this acceleration on and his clinical finishing Elegant. Smart And as I said, we had a great connection. We had a great connection. In our last years together played together behind a strike in one strike. So we had like the Christmas tree d of four three two one And u But I always said, you know, you're more a striker. I'm more a midfielder. So when we comes to defending You know I will do that work more because what Cala wanted is to especiallyize against you guys So I would play behind the striker with the ball but then we would be at four eending. Yeah. and one of us had to go to the left side or to the right side And so I would do more And I said, if I can, if I'm in front of you, of course, you help me out But we had that very generous you know, connection Was there a lot of talking like that off the pitch? because I believed Oh no, this was just one conversation that we had one time Is it Yeah yeah. and just listen good And this is what I meant. So the the respect And the fact that he because that year that he won the Ballandour He scored ten goals in the Champions League M It was on fire. That probably was one of my best seasons as well feeling that he won the Barandour and feeling that you're part of that You know, this's what I mean, It's not about we all know the contribution. Without the defense behind me, I could have not been in the midfield that I was all these years becausecause they clean up a lot of stuff that I' didn't meant to do you know, that permitted me to go up front and do certain things. And I think that is the beauty of and that's why the relationships even after that respect and There's no jealousy, no env it's beautiful. And I have that very strongly with Kakan also with Pilo It that game was a game when I remember coming off, I think might be me Waza really talking about like everyone was talking about Kakan lesson rightly so he was amazing by the second after the second game in Midland when you beat us. You scored actually. Yeah I remember coming off and we were talking on the plane home like Right, I knew Sedolf was good ye, but boy, what I just saw there was a different level. like seriously like and he was older then as well. He wasn't like the young It's like you just schooled the game, you sced All of our young guns. you remember Krishiana was young then Roononey was young And like these guys are being talked about as being like potential greates It was like, No no we just bumped into Genuine. This is a great hair and saw the levels and it made everyone just have to rec liibberate that Okay, we got to go back to work a little bit. Yeah s a new Yeah yeah stand There's a new level we saw there. We haven't seen that. Now those matches that we played together was amazing because how much talent was on the pitch. Yeah. And again, we lost the first lag by the way. We knew we had to bring the best out of ourself I mean the respect and this is what I mean, the respect that we had for certain opponents You would see it in our attitude when we didn't have the ball I saw it in Gusa That's who I saw it. This guy crazy.. Well I saw that guy doing that game, he wanted to kill Christiano that game. Yeah yeah.ble double lingu overver that side. Yeah. Was itfu? Oo. Odo. Yeah. I remember he was running over there like an animal. Yeah. Every time he got the ball in Christiana couldn't breathe in that game Norist again, that is the respect you need to have. If you leave Cristiano with space, he will you know cause damages. I would imagine that it was Qite a memory. Is there any other players that you played against that you had like massive respect for? when you played If you would ask me which defendnder I He hated to play against Turam. was it? Yeah, he was so hard, man. E was hard. The guy was Italian is a Sigoloso Sigolosso Toso It's like bone. Everything was bone And and Jen, I was not a wingner But I would come in this area because I liked to go from the left and find my spaces. But when he was playing, I tried to avoid that direct physical contact with him. Good, good defender and it was fair. He was not a Actually UN Vich as well. played many times, but I saw always fair tackles so tough but on the ball, you know Rob Modinico Sakura. That was actually my first experience when I came back to Italy with Inter to play against A Mulan And I remember I tried to go in between them and I had to jump Like jump. justust let the ballom take you Yeah And that' kind of depending on what I miss sometimes, you know, just Just just on Laldinia because before we move on, could you just tell me because I've never really had much insight into him. What was he like like as a guy? a day to day And like how good really was he I think he was super complete, I think the most complete defender. lefteft, right had a fast. He could technically sometimes even be less accurate, but he would recover it with the speed. personality. I mean The guy was really, really amazing. As a person, I think he came alive more after his career because he was always, I think he always had that sense of responsibility that he had to be an example So it was veryer You were had always so approachable N in a negative way. He V're serious. Yes, serious, but we I mean our table, by the way, we had Fourth day was in a room for our dinners and stuff and It was him costa Kut cost. and I remember the f. so we had Sashenko. That was our table And so You know, great conversations and everything and then he would you wouldn't see him anymore After dinner done finished, you would Be so way this But there every day doing his thing before training, doing thing after training, training like he was playing every Every day was a final kind of intensity And um because I remember he had to take a lot of painillis many for his knees and stuff. but wararrior. You know, um to the bott After Even the relationship between us now is so, you know Yes. relaxed. And I understand that. hisis father before him was He had a big legends responsibility. Yeah. and he's a family man. so value so he wanted to Of course also keep the name Uh, what it was and And he brought it to actually a different level Yeah Iing. I love him W? We're here obviously in LA. and we're taken in the World Cup. U wor T me you're not taking the Worldup as much as you should. You should watch more matches man. Hey B TV's on fire right the. So we're going to go down to some games, but I'm not going to as many as you because you're working on TV, but that's a pundit as well. And what do you make of the stick that Cristiana Ronalo has been getting since the first game here in the World Cup There has to be a balance. My way of doing the job as a pundent is I tried to be respectful at all times because I've been on the other side And I never like when they would go out of what would be Let's say respectful. to say or to tone and certain words But I think as a pundent, you need to say what you see So it doesn't matter who it is But the way you say it You know That is where I think the difference can be made In the case of Christiano, for example, I mean, people are talking about Should he play? I think yes, I think he should start He's too big of a name. I saw him fit. so I think he should start But if at minute sixty things are not happening and you have another big striker on the bench which they have then I think Cristiano should be also subed necessary if needed notot because of anything is because that happens for everybody Um, And these things should be able to be set. This takes nothing away from Christian. Christian doesn't need to prove anything anymore to nobody. for me So if he's busy with proving himself, he should stop doing that. And I think he shouldn't. But I also think that the people should respect the fact that is not a bad thing when you have a squad like Portugal or like O teams like M myP doesn't doesn't function for a match. and you have twenty five minutes and you have another top strike on the bench How you not going use that. it happened with all the best guys I play with in my careers, so what was the point Now I think it's about the delivery. What do you think? I think the key point what you said there is delivery How you give that kind of judgment Yeah This is This is how we're going to do it. You're going to be subs some games. you're going to come off some games, you're going to start some games When we lift trophy, you' ltting itip. Of course, like so That's what you need to worry about. whatever gets us to that point. You're going to be a big part of it J just trust me as a manager. And I think that's the job of Roberto Martin. Yeah, yeah. and besides that Things didn't start today Christiano help the team to come and qualify. Yeah. So his contribution has already been And whatever happens now I think what effort in I would love, I would love to see him enjoy. this World Cup and play at its best and That's what it's about. Only one will win at the end of the day. There's so many teams and big champions here On one will take it away. So I think it's really about the respect that we need to and also enjoy because it might be his last I always say, you know, these guys might not be around anymore for the next World Cup So let's enjoy. Yeah I agree. I agree. Yeah. talalking about enjoying Y dutch, your dutch team What are you enjoying about your Dutch team and they win it. What do they need to improve? We can always win it. But if you look at the overall thing, I think it's a good start and you can grow from there, learearn from some of the things, especially in defense, making sure you're tight, but we have good Good names in the back. guysuys with experience Vandke When Dke play probably one of his best games I've seen of him this season. Is he the best A defender of all time. I'm sure he's the best of this generation Wout a doubt But remember we have some important names C Fr Graard, for example He was, you know,'s one of my favorites ever. my top five players ever. I love this guy. He was my idol when I grew up. wasas he you yeah Yeah. And you paid him win the Championseague for fin. I had the privilege to win my first championsionague win my idol That's nuts well crazy. But so yeah, I mean, Viril Virgil didn't have a great season with Liverpool O the whole season difficult year transition year, you know, those But U what I like about Virgil is that he is puts his face out now as well, more and more as a captain. I think he's taking that responsibility You know, when you see the interviews, he's giving after matches, I always have the feeling that he's You know, he's honest also to herself and himself and the team And I think there's a good vibe in the team. I saw the atmosphere, you know with the place and stuff. those were important things. It shouldn't be too flat But Having that respect among the team players is important And some of you I know people know him that well, but I think I think he brought some nice fresh elements to the game You played with some great players in your team Burkhamp Cver over mil Vister, etcer. what one trait would you add from those sides you played in to this side that you feel be a good ingredient to add for them Ah Well, I think it's the strikers. I think even Memphis Pi and Marin they all Re number nines. they are I think more ten nine. Modn actually was more a winger. this last season he was Amazing with Roma S and nine Um, But of course they didn't play the whole career as a real number nine So yeah, the names that you just said if there what would be one element for this team is to would bring a real number nine in a club cl moi type of player Oh to the end This is a little bit the football of today How you find number nes? Yeah The number nines that are number ten or wingers and they move a lot But I believe that There's some chemistry, which is even more important than you know, then the positionistuff. there's some chemistry within these players that I've seen U and if that grows Also the Netherlands have has, you know, capacity to score goals and to get into scoring positions. R right listen man, we're going to finish off. We we always do it with all of our players F or side T Five as side team of the best players that you played with No goalkeepers because they're not really players They're different. Yeah they're made different. Yeah, they're basically. they're different, different I'm working with Peter Smuigl every day. I know they're different. Amazing guy by the It's going to be almost all Brazilian. Yeah. Okay. for online Allland better colors. Ta Mudini fu One more Oh, I thought I would be part of that five. Oh, you're in there. That's fine, That's fine. You can have yourself. that's fine. So you Non' if not, No let's find you I loved her. I'll put myself in as well. You Pala Mardini Cafu Ronaldo. Ronaldo. I with a Cafu What was great about Kathu? because we're not spoken about him fu So if you have ever seen anybody consistent in a career in iscafu and consistent in going up and down. U training again suuper professional. U fit and always hungry and to continue, you know the drive Oh creating with men more when you're attacking haaving that option from left to right to put the ball there and then present yourself in the backline as well when you're defending again Top player. Roberta Alis They're kind of a trend, you know You never trained. No, it was like What do you mean He would run for fun, but I never saw the guy in the gym. I never saw the guy running seriously in a training session So b what do you do force of nature. That gu is a force of nature. Seriously Like a I asked myself, I said, Roberta, what do you actually do to be this fit You know when I got the answer, when I went to play in Brazil That generation for sure, and before. For them to come and play in Europe was a walk in the park Because in Brazil, when I was playing there, we had In the second season, I played forty three matches every three days So it was like nonstop They Med year played seventy three matches with the pl plus national team and everything But these guys grew up playing on the beach So Stong legs. This kind of intense leak Toger family Lague family Lague is a joke compared for truffling and all this stuff. So now they come to Europe and they have A week, no match you know, national team, you have a break Oh So the rhythm for them was like, okay, on a lower pace. And now these guys are running for fun. The recovery for them was easier And I understood the intensity and how difficult it was to play in Brazil and then you had different you know high grass and all the Really was like the conditions were tough. You play forty five degrees. then three days later you go ten degrees and then threeree days later, you go up north five hours flying, you need to go. So Imagine all those conditions, then they come to Europe and they're actually flying maximum three hours E now and then for Champions League, otherwise it's just one hour bus this. So In my opinion, these Brazilian guys had an advantage and just feeling that they could recover faster because they were so used to some different level He seemed to be likeuck he was just playing like for fun like just It was nothing to him, like just kking doing skills like crazy. or like a big bombar Yeah so fast, incredible. H a great. What was my team, my roommate for years. Yeah. Oh I heard about this year. Is how I got to know to speak Portuguese? Okay, cool. But I want to say thank you very much, man. I really appreciate you. Thank you so much, man. It's been a long time. Wor the weight, always, good hundred percent. Thank you