Yeah

... make it a thing" and it was, uh, yeah, class.

Like just hearing everybody sing it, like, and for how many English fans that were there compared to how many Mexican fans and how loud it was, it was...

I, I think those are the bits that, like, you remember.

Like, you probably not remember, like, the games as much or like what absolutely happened, but, like, little moments.

Mm.

So I feel that's quite exciting as well, that we're in the latter stage of the tournament, but we still don't feel as if we've put, like, a complete performance together.

So, like, it's been nice so far, the whole Mexico thing, but, like, we had a meeting this morning, like, that's done.

So what are you expecting from Norway? I know you've had a couple of days off.

Yeah, it does not surprise us at all how well they've done, to be honest.

I saw how well they did in qualification, had a tough group with Italy in it and topped that and scored however many goals, so it doesn't surprise us that they're doing well.

Even beating Brazil, I know Brazil were favourites for that, but when you've got players like Haaland and Odegaard and people that can affect the game, it doesn't surprise us that they're at this stage, so...

Yeah, it is one of them where we're going to have to be top level all over the pitch and put in probably a lot better performance than we did against Mexico to get through.

But it's something that we're prepared for.

It was like the manager had a meeting this morning, sort of said like Mexico's done now, like we've sort of sat and took the praise and everything for it.

What's been going on? Yeah, it's

Has it sunk in yet?

Um, no, probably not, but I think that's with a lot of things that sort of happened in me career.

I've said before, it'll not be until sort of I'm retired and, like, look back and can appreciate what's happened.

Obviously, like buzzing that all me family were there to, to see that, um, and yeah, it is amazing that I've played at me first World Cup at, at 34 and, and got minutes in.

It's one of those where, like, what...

No one will ever be able to take that away from me.

So it's, like, it's a nice feeling, but, um, you know that obviously there's still a job to do.

So after the elation, and you now got the, the game back onto to focus for, for Norway.

What are you expecting from that game and what's the mentality going into it?

Yeah, I think it'll be a tough game again.

From what we've seen of them in the other games, they're probably going to be quite deep again.

So it'll be us playing against a lower block, but I know that they'll want to try and get a result as well.

So yeah, much of the same.

I said, I think it's...

Good opportunity for it to sort of go back and make it feel more positive than it is at the moment.

Sophie asks, what's the most important thing you've learned from football? So what's one thing football has taught you about life?

How crucial and important would that be that they've got a fl- have taken a flying start now into the, into the tournament?

Yeah, massive.

I think they're sort of leaders of the group playing for top clubs and sort of the peak of their careers, or maybe not Jude.

I know Jude's, like, 12 or whatever he is, [laughs] but he's still, uh, so he's still got a long way to go.

But it feels like he's a big player for us.

Um, so yeah, that's important, I think, for any team who's got sort of world-class players to, to keep them sort of fit and firing and, and scoring goals is, um, like, you need that little bit of luck to, to get you through to the latter stages of the tournament.

But I think for sort of Harry to score the goals that he did, and Jude as well, I thought was, um, like, all over the pitch, and I really feel like Jude's one of those players where you can really feel when Jude's on it, and he sort of sets the tone sometimes.

For someone who's played through coaches up and down the leagues, what is it to your mind that makes him elite?

How hard are the players working on- on getting that right this time, and how big do you see your role in that as?

Yeah, very.

I think, obviously, it's hard for me to comment on what went on when I wasn't here.

Um, but we've made a big thing about that since, uh, the very first camp we had together about having this brotherhood and, um, being together.

And I feel like the, a lot of the times the team that end up winning tournaments like these are the teams who are close.

As you look at Argentina in the, uh, last World cup, you felt as if they were really fighting for each other.

So that's what we're wanting to do, and I think it's hard sometimes.

But what, in your opinion, makes a successful center back partnership in a tournament?

So how does that process work then, as a player, to get the best out of yourselves and as a team? Because, and to find that rhythm that you, you do find in the Champions League and apply it to domestic football.

Yeah.

It's tough.

I think, like, you need momentum.

I think that's the, the biggest thing, and I think obviously the Champions League games are very easy for players to get themselves motivated to play in the Champions League.

But I think the best teams, I've said it before, like, your Man Citys, which in my opinion are, like, mentality-wise the best team.

That they can just hit that mark every single game.

Were you angry? Were you frustrated? Because it kind of sidelined you for quite a few weeks.

How has it been a senior player? Do people turn to you for advice in the dressing room? Are you the fatherly figure?

Um, yeah, I think so.

I feel like to- as a leader, and I'm quite like a, a lead-by-example person, so I always try to make sure that I do the, the right thing, um, no matter what I'm doing around the training ground and, and try and sorta lead by example with the younger lads.

And even if the right thing's the hard thing to do sometimes, I always make sure I do it.

I never take the easy way out, and hopefully that has an effect on, on those, uh, players just coming through.

It's a, like, great team to be around.

I know...

How's that been, and what was your decision to get on Instagram?

Like, do you know what I

mean? He said like, yeah, like obviously that's probably the only thing that might work against you.

But he said like, have you, how many times have you met the England squad? I was like, no, no, like I've done nothing.

He was like, what, ever? Like any level? I was like, no, no.

He was like, oh, let's make it happen and let's go and stuff.

So I was like buzzing, do you know what I mean? But he said like, I've got a big meeting tomorrow or whatever.

But yeah.

and he's such a confidence player and a confidence person as well I think that being invited to be in the leadership group he's the kind of player that would have really got a lot from that.

(instrumental music plays) You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show.

Welcome Pope Leo, Chicago born and bred.

Comiskey, Aparicio, Luzinski, Bill Veeck.

Must've palled around with Roy Cohane, a scarf around his throat.

Ate burgers with Belushi at the Billy Goat.

Must've got stuck on the Dan Ryan in his rusty car.

Watched Ditka and Sayers and Butkus at the bar.

(laughs)