Lionel Messi snubbed Virgil van Dijk when naming best defender in Premier League

Lionel Messi does not believe Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the Premier League.

Dutchman Van Dijk is regarded by many as, not only the best current defender in the Premier League, but one of the best-ever in the English top-flight.

He has the medals to back this up. For Liverpool, Van Dijk has won everything in the English domestic game. He also won the 2019 Champions League.

On the way to winning that, he played in the memorable 4-0 Champions League semi-final win over Messi’s Barcelona.

Messi got revenge in the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina overcame a Netherlands team, that included Van Dijk, on a penalty shoot-out.

Talking in late 2023, in the aftermath of Argentina’s World Cup 2026 qualification win over Ecuador, Messi gave glowing praise for Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.

"For me, he (Romero) is the best defender in the world right now. Amazing performance tonight, man of the match,” said Messi.

Virgil van Dijk and Lionel Messi duel for the ball during a World Cup clash. Image: Getty

Romero was at the heart of defence for Argentina in their penalty shoot-out win over France in the 2022 World Cup Final. He has since established himself as a first-team regular at Tottenham, after his loan move from Atalanta became permanent in 2022.

A hamstring injury has hampered his first team appearances for Spurs this season. Although the big Argentine was back in the Spurs side as captain in their win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the Europa League quarter finals.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are closing in on the Premier League title. If they finish the job, it will be van Dijk’s second Premier League title with the club. Spurs are now two games away from their first European final for 41 years.

They needed penalties to beat Anderlecht in the 1984 UEFA Cup final. Romero will need to stay fit if Spurs are to be in contention for their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup win.

If they are able to do so, then Messi’s bold claim about Romero being the best defender in the world may be an opinion that is more widely shared.

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