Rio Meets is where the biggest names in football tell the stories you’ve never heard before and in this episode Gabriel Jesus sits down with Rio Ferdinand for one of his most open and revealing interviews yet.

From growing up in a favela playing football outside a prison, to sharing a dressing room with legends at Manchester City, Jesus reflects on the journey that shaped him — both as a player and a person.

When discussing Arsenal’s title challenge, Jesus describes the difference in leadership between Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice along with the two young players who are “killers” in training who expects big things from.

He lifts the lid on working under Pep Guardiola - including the tactical demands, the intensity in training, and the one thing Pep tries to coach out of all the Brazilian players.

Jesus also reveals how he developed his bond with Neymar and why he thinks he’s the greatest player of his generation.

There are also incredible insights into elite dressing rooms, from Vincent Kompany’s leadership to Sergio Agüero’s mentality, plus Jesus’ ultimate 5-a-side team.

This is a conversation about football at the highest level — but more importantly, about mindset, identity and what it really takes to win.

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and who you want Rio to sit down with next!

00:00 Intro: The boy from Brazil

01:14 Meeting Gabriel Jesus

01:29 Growing up in the Favelas: My first football

02:31 Playing at the Police Complex: More than just a game

03:56 The loss of passion in modern Brazilian football

05:16 The greatness of Neymar Jr.

07:27 Dealing with pressure in Brazil vs. England

09:02 When ex-players talk: Impact on the dressing room

11:35 Arriving at Man City: Meeting Pep & legends

13:16 Pep’s "Best Striker-Defender": Sacrificing for the team

14:31 Creating chaos: The role of the modern No. 9

16:42 How the game has changed in 10 years

18:55 Does Pep Guardiola allow freedom?

21:16 Coaching specifics: "Don't use your studs!"

23:10 The unpredictability of playing for Pep

25:16 Vincent Kompany: A manager in the making

27:11 Rio’s most under-appreciated teammates

29:22 The Mikel Arteta effect at Arsenal

31:01 The mental shift: From 2nd place to Champions

33:54 Dressing room leaders: Declan Rice & Martin Ødegaard

36:05 Why modern squads need 22 captains

37:07 Training with Declan Rice: "The Horse"

40:23 Bukayo Saka: Humble, strong, and elite

42:38 Comparison: Saka vs. Vinícius & Rodrygo

44:21 The next generation: Max Dowman & Ethan Nwaneri

47:51 Dark moments: Dealing with long-term injury

50:28 Nutrition and lifestyle changes

51:41 Finding faith: Baptism and perspective

54:00 The life of a footballer: Missing major family moments

55:46 Gabby Heinze: The "crazy" coach at Arsenal

57:12 Defending Arsenal’s set-piece "dark arts"

01:01:44 Final prediction: Will Arsenal win the league?

01:02:45 Picking the Ultimate 5-A-Side Team (No Keepers)

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With only 90 minutes of international football before Thomas Tuchel names his England World Cup squad, Rio Ferdinand sits down with Joel Beya and Ste Howson to break down the real decisions facing England - and it’s not as straightforward as people think.

From inside insight into the England camp, to the big calls Thomas Tuchel has to make, you’ll hear Rio pick his starting XI for the important knockout matches and the truth about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the squad.

There’s analysis on whether Harry Maguire really is England’s 5th choice central defender (behind Trevor Chalobah) and why Luis Enrique’s impact on Ousmane Dembele will help France in the summer.

Rio also reveals why he would not go to Tottenham if he was Roberto De Zerbi and which African sides could cause surprises at the World Cup.

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One of the most iconic goalscorers sits down with Rio to reveal what made him so lethal as an Argentina and Serie A number 9.

Having shared a dressing room and friendship with the legendary Diego Maradona, Batistuta reveals what it was like for team mates and managers to share a dressing room and feed off his persona.

Batistuta gives some amazing insight into the life of Maradona and how his upbringing led to an extraordinary life of fame and success both on and off the pitch before a sad demise.

After comparing Maradona to Lionel Messi, Batistuta names the three world strikers that impress him the most in today’s game and also reveals how and injury and resulting pain in his ankle made him ask a surgeon to amputate it.

Thankfully, he was able to overcome that pain and now sits down with Rio to show a side of his character that few have ever seen - including a discussion where they both dissect each other’s games after Rio admitted ‘Batigol’ was the first “iconic” striker he faced - in the 2002 World Cup.

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From 255 goals to unforgettable Champions League nights, Salah has cemented himself as one of the greatest players in Liverpool history. But with declining form, behind-the-scenes tension, and major financial decisions, the club has agreed to an early exit.

In this video, we break down:

🔥 The official announcement of Salah’s departure

📉 His recent drop in form

⚠️ The drama with manager Arne Slot

🏆 His incredible Liverpool legacy

🌍 Where he could go next (Saudi? MLS?)

💰 Why Liverpool made this shocking decision

🔄 What’s next for the club

This isn’t just a transfer… it’s the end of the Mohamed Salah era at Liverpool.

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Rio is joined by Joel Beya and Ste Howson to analyse Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final where they pay particular attention to Mikel Arteta’s decision to stick with number 2 goalkeeper Kepa.

Rio reveals why he thought that was a big mistake both tactically and in terms of the mentality it showed. There is a defence of Declan Rice who Rio believes “couldn’t do his job” because of the lack of service and praise for Pep Guardiola’s tactics that may have shown other Premier League opponents how to overcome Arteta’s Arsenal.

The trio all believe that Tottenham might be playing their football in the Championship next season and after a frustrating draw with Bournemouth - Ste and Rio lay out what the priorities should be for Manchester United to address in the summer if they are to compete in the Champions League.

Rio makes another plea for Danny Welbeck to be picked in the World Cup squad for England and he also reveals the release of an extra special Gabriel Batistuta interview where the Argentinian legend divulges some incredible detail about Rio’s idol - Diego Maradona.

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Rio is joined by Ste and Joel for the episode which discusses how Bruno Fernandes is moving into Ronaldo and Messi territory with his unbelievable numbers at Manchester United.

Rio mounts a defence of former team mate Michael Carrick after people suggested his perceived lack of “charisma” is a reason that he shouldn’t get the permanent manager's role in the summer.

You’ll also hear why Rio would “one million percent” take Max Dowman to the World Cup after he became the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer and why he is already surpassing the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen who gained huge reputations at a similar age. The trio also look at the potential impact of Dowman’s rising star on club captain Martin Odegaard.

There’s analysis of Liam Rosenior’s time in charge of Chelsea after it was revealed only 3 managers have a better points tally since he took over and Rio reveals why he “HATES” team huddles.

And Ste gave a Stretford Paddock debut to a Premier League winner and reveals what it’s like for the other players in non-league to share a pitch with someone of that quality.

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After Paul Scholes’ comments went viral following a loss to 10-man Newcastle, Rio went to do some investigating to work out what his former team mate was really saying about the job Michael Carrick is doing.

After revealing what Scholesy told him, what Iniesta said about Scholes in a chance meeting and why Patrice Evra came out in defence of Carrick - Rio and Ste look at why people are perhaps discrediting Arsenal for their potential title win this season.

Rio is full of praise for Arteta’s ability to re-invent his team and make them stronger and suggests there is much more respect for Arsenal in Europe compared to their perception in England.

There were also two starts over the weekend for the players that Rio identified as England’s next stars as Rio Ngumoah and Max Dowman both played key roles in their club's FA Cup victories - you’ll hear what separates the top players from the rest when they break into the first team and also why academies aren’t preparing young central defenders properly for the rigours of the modern game.

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