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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have proven to be huge nemeses to opposition teams over the years, thanks to their amazing exploits in front of goal. In fact, just the thought of facing these legendary attackers is enough to rattle even the best defenders in the world.
Going up against two of the greatest footballers in history is no easy task. Defenders usually pray for a lucky day every time they face Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They never forget to add that the duo should have an off day, such is their ruthlessness in front of goal.
As we've witnessed in recent years, it takes the effort of eleven men to stand a chance of limiting the impact of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, there have been some cases where defenders have managed to keep the duo at bay for 90 minutes. On that note, here's a look at five such defenders:
#5 Leonardo Bonucci
Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid an early lead from the spot when they faced Juventus in the second leg of their 2014-15 Champions League semi-final clash. Alvaro Morata equalised shortly after the restart. That meant Los Blancos then needed to find another goal to stand a chance of going through, after losing the first leg 2-1.
Ronaldo attacked fiercely to find a goal. But Leonardo Bonucci, alongside Giorgio Chiellini, produced a defensive masterclass to deny the Portuguese, ensuring the game ended 1-1 and Juventus went through.
The Italian pulled off a similar display against Lionel Messi in the same tournament last season. Juventus locked horns with Barcelona in the second leg of their group stage clash, and were up by two goals in 20 minutes.
Messi tried all he could to score and bring Barcelona back into the game, but Bonucci proved to be more than a handful for the attacker. The Italian kept his Argentine counterpart at bay throughout 90 minutes, helping Juventus seal a convincing 3-0 victory away from home.
#4 Sergio Ramos
The Spaniard was a rock at the back for Real Madrid against Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at Camp Nou in 2017. The Blaugrana started the game with several attacks, but Sergio Ramos was always there to nullify them.
The visitors went ahead via a Gerard Pique own goal shortly after the restart as Lionel Messi cut a frustrated figure throughout the match. His only contribution was the penalty kick he converted. That only served as consolation as Los Blancos earned a 3-1 win.
Before that, Ramos had produced an exceptional defensive display to nullify Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal clashed with Spain in the semi-final of Euro 2012. Ronaldo fired blanks before the game was decided in a shootout that Spain won 4-2.
#3 Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole and Cristiano Ronaldo faced each other several times during the attacker's first Premier League stint as well as at international level. Although the Portuguese came out on top on multiple occasions, the defender also had a few occasions in which he had the upper hand.
One such instance was a Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United on November 26, 2006. The Englishman literally pocketed Ronaldo throughout the game, which ended 1-1. Louis Saha and Ricardo Carvalho scored for United and Chelsea, respectively.
Two years later, Ashley Cole proved his class once again, as he kept Lionel Messi from scoring against Chelsea over two legs in the 2008-09 Champions League semi-finals. Barcelona, though, progressed to the final, and won the competition.
#2 Diego Godin
Diego Godin had the privilege to face two of the finest players in history during his time in Spain. He managed to record a remarkable moment against Lionel Messi when Atletico Madrid clashed with Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2016.
The Blaugrana won the first leg 2-1 at Camp Nou, setting up a key encounter in the return leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
It took Atletico 36 minutes to draw first blood in the second leg. All eyes were on Messi to step up. But an applaudable performance from Diego Godin ensured the Argentine struggled throughout the game. Antoine Griezmann scored his second goal of the night to seal a 2-0 victory for the Rojiblancos on the night.
A year earlier, the centre-back produced a similar performance against Cristiano Ronaldo during a La Liga clash with Real Madrid. On February 7, 2015, Real Madrid fell to a shocking 4-0 defeat to Atletico in La Liga. Despite featuring in the game, Ronaldo couldn't break through a Diego Godin-led backline.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
Portugal came out on top when they faced the Netherlands in the 2018 UEFA Nations League final. But that had nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo's heroics. The attacker was pocketed by Virgil van Dijk, who produced a fabulous performance at the heart of the Dutch defence.
Ronaldo, in fact, had a night to forget, with Goncalo Guedes scoring the only goal of the game to grant Portugal a victory over the Dutch.
The same happened to Lionel Messi when Barcelona travelled to Liverpool for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final in 2018. Having inspired a 3-0 win for the Blaugrana in the reverse fixture at Camp Nou, all eyes were on Messi to produce a scintillating performance at Anfield.
However, Barcelona were shocked as Liverpool fired four unanswered goals past them. Despite playing the entire match, Lionel Messi couldn't find the back of the net. The Argentine had a tough time facing a disciplined defence led by Virgil van Dijk.
