YouTube star IShowSpeed recently found himself in the spotlight — not just for his massive online following, but because he spent an unforgettable day with two well-known CBS Sports pundits, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.
The 20-year-old content creator, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is no stranger to the internet world, boasting nearly 40 million subscribers on YouTube.
But what really stood out during this hangout wasn’t just the star power, it was the lively chat and some playful banter about football and fandom.
A Deep Dive Into Speed’s Ronaldo Obsession
Speed is famously obsessed with Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Instagram’s most-followed person with a staggering 654 million followers.
During a live-streamed car ride on Twitch, Richards couldn’t help but ask the question on everyone’s minds: “Why Ronaldo? What’s the real deal behind your obsession?”
Without hesitation, Speed called Ronaldo “The GOAT” — that’s “greatest of all time” for those not in the know — and explained that Ronaldo is not just the best footballer but the number one figure in the entire world of sports.
But Carragher wasn’t convinced it was pure admiration.
He suggested that Speed might have jumped on the Ronaldo bandwagon to boost his own numbers when he started out as a teen.
Speed quickly denied it, but Carragher kept the friendly challenge coming.
A Trophy Talk That Got Awkward
Things took a funny turn when Speed fired a bold question at Carragher: “Jamie, have you ever lifted a trophy in your life?” He repeated, specifically asking if Carragher had ever won a UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophy.
For those who don’t know, Carragher was a key part of the Liverpool team that pulled off one of the most epic comebacks in football history by winning the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan.
The former defender responded coolly, “What do you think?” — making it clear he’d been there and done that.
Speed shook his head, sticking to his mistaken impression, which led to a good-natured moment where Carragher jokingly acknowledged how that clip might play out on Speed’s stream, reminding everyone of the legendary final he was part of.
On the Pitch: Speed vs. Carragher
Later on, the fun continued with a one-on-one showdown on an indoor football pitch.
Speed tried his best to dribble past Carragher, but his heavy touch sent the ball into a corner where Carragher quickly tackled it away.
Carragher, using his experience, tried to muscle past Speed but also found himself cornered and losing possession.
Speed then made another sprinting attempt but ended up losing both the ball and one of his shoes in the process.
The young YouTuber claimed Carragher was playing rough, joking that he “hit me in the face,” though the cameras didn’t exactly catch any punches.
More Than Just a YouTuber and a Former Footballer
While Speed’s main claim to fame is his YouTube channel, Carragher’s trophy cabinet is impressive:
besides the 2005 Champions League, he also won two FA Cups, two League Cups, two Community Shields, two UEFA Super Cups, and a UEFA Cup (now called the Europa League) during his Liverpool career.
This unexpected pairing of internet star and football legend turned into a memorable mix of respect, humor, and good-spirited competition that brought fans from both worlds together.