The Rest Is Football: "Madrid’s Magic, Bellingham’s Brilliance & Say Less, Lamine"

Podcast: The Rest Is Football
Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alex Aljo
Topic: La Liga's eventful weekend featuring Real Madrid's El Clasico win, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe's brilliance, Barcelona's frustrations, standout performances, and La Liga's wider talking points.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Real Madrid’s dramatic 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona, exploring Jude Bellingham’s match-winning influence, Kylian Mbappé’s starring role, VAR drama, and emotional flashpoints. The hosts also reflect on key La Liga results, standout performances, the ongoing evolution of Spain’s top teams, and share exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from Alex Aljo’s trip to Spain. Lively banter, strong opinions, and insider dressing room tales make it an essential listen for passionate football fans.

Key Talking Points & Insights

1. El Clasico: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

Timestamps: 03:18–21:40

• Atmosphere & Stakes

  • Alex describes the "unbelievable" matchday environment in Madrid:

    “It’s always brilliant, isn’t it? The Clasico. An unbelievable atmosphere. A win for Real Madrid to go five points clear at the top.” (03:18)

• Match Incidents & VAR Drama

  • Early drama with a potential penalty for Real not given after VAR review.
  • Mbappé denied once but scores after a sublime Bellingham assist (05:19). Barcelona immediately equalize; Bellingham later bags the winner (06:04).
  • Further VAR decisions, penalty controversy, and emotional flare-ups characterized the match.

• Jude Bellingham’s Rising Stardom

  • Bellingham scores his third winner in five Clasicos.
  • Alex:

    “Massive game for Bellingham… In five league clasicos, he’s scored the winner in three of them… Stepped up when it mattered most.” (08:33)

  • Gary:

    “Three winners in clasicos. That’s something we have in common.” (09:12)

• Mbappé’s World-Class Impact

  • Referred to as “the best player in the world at the moment” (17:01, Gary)
  • Missed a penalty, but his influence undeniable as he spearheads Madrid’s attack.

• Marcus Rashford’s Performance

  • First time two Englishmen (Rashford and Bellingham) participate in El Clasico.
  • Rashford provides an assist; Alex notes, “He had a decent game” (09:26).

• Lamine Yamal & Post-Game Drama

  • Young Barcelona winger kept quiet by Madrid’s defense, then at the center of a heated post-match exchange.
  • Gary:

    “Madrid players were having a go at your Mal...basically giving it, ‘you talk too much.’” (09:53)

  • Alex:

    “Say less, Lamine… Bellingham put up an Instagram post with ‘a little less conversation’ as a song. I like that… Subtle.” (10:08)

• Vinicius Jr.’s Frustration

  • Substituted and initially storms down the tunnel, but returns to the bench.
  • Gary:

    “Any player hates to be taken off… but what you don’t do is you don’t storm down the tunnel.” (12:04)

  • Both agree emotional flare-ups add color, but hope young stars channel it positively.

• Tactical and Psychological Analysis

  • Barcelona’s high line exposed by Madrid; possession battle expected but did not translate to control.
  • Gary on away disadvantage:

    “Away games in clasicos are hard...it massively favors the home side.” (14:19)

  • On Barca’s title hopes after defeat:

    “Five points, it sounds a lot but it’s not that much… Barcelona, fabulous side… you can’t say it’s done yet.” (15:48)

• Managerial Styles: Xabi Alonso vs. Ancelotti vs. Flick

  • Gary praises Alonso’s organized approach:

    “He’s brought out the best in Mbappe… seems to be much more organized… might be beneficial to Madrid in the long term.” (17:01)

  • Discusses Hansi Flick’s absence from touchline due to suspension and its impact (18:15).

• Bellingham’s England Future

  • Debate about Bellingham’s omission from England squad after injury:

    “If he’s not [picked], I’ll be astonished.” (20:01, Gary)
    “He’s a superstar.” (19:29, Gary)

2. Other La Liga Highlights

Timestamps: 23:24–28:03

• Villarreal 2-0 Valencia

  • Villarreal impresses:

    “Villarreal awarded a penalty… Moreno scored and then Santi Comesaña… Valencia really struggling, right down the bottom of the table.” (23:32–24:14, Alex)

• Athletic Club’s Mid-Table Struggles

  • Loss at home to Getafe; injury to star Inaki Williams; worries about the club’s direction.
  • Alex shares plans to interview Aymeric Laporte, offering deeper coverage soon (26:30).

3. Exclusive: Alex’s Upcoming Interviews

Timestamps: 02:51, 26:30–28:18

• Ivan Rakitic Teaser
  • Rakitic reflects on winning "almost everything" with Barcelona, yet says:

    “Looking back, he thinks they should have won more… they got bored of winning… lost the hunger, lost the desire... he looks back with regrets.” (26:44–27:04, Alex)

  • Gary questions this glass-half-empty outlook, reflecting on athletes’ mentality.

4. Atletico Madrid’s Season & Fan Perspective

Timestamps: 28:18–30:55

• Losing to Arsenal; Simeone’s future questioned by Alex’s taxi driver contact, who also wants Felipe Luis as next manager.
  • Notable quote from Alex’s “Madrid Takista Atletico” fan:

    “Simeone should have gone three years ago…not convinced about Conor Gallagher either.” (30:38–30:43)

• Arsenal impresses Simeone as “most complete team in Europe” after facing Real Madrid and Liverpool (29:40, Alex).

5. La Liga Weekend Round-up

Timestamps: 31:04–32:45

• Alex rapid-fire recaps:
  • Espanyol 1-0 Elche
  • Girona 3-3 Real Oviedo (with a 97th-minute equalizer)
  • Celta Vigo’s late win
  • Real Sociedad’s crucial victory
  • Mallorca 1-1 Levante
  • Rayo Vallecano’s third straight win
• “Real Madrid are top … as a reminder.” (32:45, Alex)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bellingham’s Big Game Mentality:

  “In five league clasicos, he’s scored the winner in three of them. So, I think he answered his critics.” – Alex Aljo (08:33)

• On Emotional Flashpoints:

  “What you don’t do is you don’t storm down the tunnel… But, I don’t mind. It’s an emotional sport, an emotional game.” – Gary Lineker (12:04/12:24)

• On Lamine Yamal’s Post-Game Antics:

  “Say less, Lamine… Do your talking on the pitch.” – Alex Aljo and Gary Lineker (10:08–10:59)

• On Managerial Impact:

  “Even if you’re a very well respected former player of the club… he’s still a very young manager… really impressive what’s he’s done so far.” – Gary Lineker on Xabi Alonso (17:01)

• On Footballers’ Mentality:

  “[Rakitic] said looking back, he thinks they should have won more… they got bored of winning… lost the hunger… looks back with regrets.” – Alex Aljo (26:44)

Segment Timestamps

• Intro & Host Setup: 01:31–02:12
• Alex’s Madrid Trip, Rakitic Teaser: 02:40–03:18
• El Clasico Match Recap & Commentary: 03:18–08:09
• Post-Match Analysis: Players & Drama: 08:09–13:50
• Atmosphere, Tactics & Team Evaluations: 13:50–18:15
• Managers’ Styles, Bellingham’s England Prospects: 18:15–21:40
• Villarreal & La Liga Matches: 23:24–26:12
• Athletic Club, Laporte Interview, Rakitic Teaser: 26:30–28:18
• Atletico Madrid, Simeone Talk: 28:18–30:55
• La Liga Weekend Summary: 31:04–32:45
• Outro & Coming Interview Promotion: 32:45–33:54

Tone & Style

The episode captures the hosts’ sharp insight, passion for football, and dry humor, embracing both serious analysis and playful banter. Alex brings vivid on-the-ground coverage and exclusive content, while Gary weaves together personal anecdotes, tactical expertise, and friendly ribbing.

For Football Fans Who Missed the Episode

• Get an in-depth breakdown of El Clasico’s drama, star performances, and fallout.
• Enjoy unique behind-the-scenes stories from Spain, plus future interviews with star players.
• Catch up quickly on all the other key La Liga results.
• Hear strong opinions on personalities and managerial approaches shaping today’s football.