Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as soon as shared his ideas on the age-old Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate. Having performed towards each legends at numerous ranges, Van Dijk judged them because the harder opponent in his take.
When it comes to numbers, Virgil van Dijk has confronted Lionel Messi 3 times in his profession. These embrace the 2 semi-final legs of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League when Messi’s Barcelona clashed towards Van Dijk’s Liverpool. The season is effectively remembered for the Catalan aspect’s 4-3 combination loss to the Reds, regardless of phenomenal performances from Messi in each legs. Van Dijk’s third and most up-to-date conflict towards the Argentine famous person got here within the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals when Argentina received towards the Netherlands.
In gentle of his expertise, Virgil Van Dijk alluded to Liverpool’s UCL conflict towards Barcelona in 2019, whereas selecting Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo because the harder opponent. He stated (through The Mirror):
“I might say Messi, he’s nonetheless the most effective soccer participant on the planet. Him and Cristiano [Ronaldo] have been doing unreal numbers within the final many years and it’s unimaginable what they’ve achieved. However on this case I’ll select Messi, we had a troublesome evening at Barcelona [in 2019].”
In the meantime, Virgil Van Dijk has additionally performed towards Cristiano Ronaldo 5 instances in his profession, having received twice and misplaced thrice. Two of those video games have been worldwide matches between Portugal and the Netherlands, together with the UEFA Nations League closing. The remaining have been on the membership degree, together with the 2018 Champions League closing, the place Ronaldo’s Actual Madrid beat Liverpool.
When Jurgen Klopp shared his tackle the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate
In a 2018 interview (h/t SPORTBible), Jurgen Klopp shared his tackle the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate in a novel means. The previous Liverpool boss revealed:
“I’ve just one selfie on my smartphone. That’s with Messi. Cristiano was within the room as effectively.”
Klopp has by no means coached Messi or Ronaldo. Nevertheless, he has confronted each gamers throughout his teaching profession. The German tactician was additionally appreciative of Messi after his historic triumph within the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
“Argentina deserved it and while you noticed the staff and the nation celebrating, then it most likely hit the best nation in tough instances. I’m actually pleased for them, they waited for a very long time. The best footballer in my lifetime, Lionel Messi, the way in which he performs soccer on this age ought to give us all a touch at how lengthy footballers can carry out on the prime degree. We should not shut the books too early. It was a pleasure to observe him,” Klopp stated.
Regardless of having left European soccer round two years in the past, each Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stay among the many greatest gamers on the planet right this moment. The legendary Argentine is concentrated on main Inter Miami to the MLS Cup after successful the Supporters’ Defend final season. In the meantime, the Portuguese talisman is gearing up for an additional season with Al-Nassr after renewing his contract.
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Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar
