"He's still the best football player" – When Virgil van Dijk made choice clear in Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate

Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk once insisted Argentina and Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi is a better player than Portugal and Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Back in 2021, Van Dijk was asked to name the attacker who gave him the toughest time during their time in Europe. The 33-year-old centre-back replied (h/t Mirror):

"I would say Lionel Messi, he's still the best football player in the world. Him and Cristiano have been doing unreal numbers in the last decades and it's incredible what they have achieved. But in this case, I will choose Lionel, we had a tough night at Barcelona [in 2019]."

Messi, 37, tasted a lot of success during his time in Europe. He netted 704 goals and registered 338 assists in 853 total appearances for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He has lifted eight Ballon d'Or awards so far.

Ronaldo, 40, found the back of the net 701 times and laid out 223 assists in 949 overall outings for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and Sporting CP. The Al-Nassr striker has won five Ballon d'Or awards so far.

Rio Ferdinand lauds teenager in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo comparison

Last Wednesday (April 30), Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona record a 3-3 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg draw against Serie A outfit Inter Milan. He scored a fine goal, created two chances, and completed six of his 11 attempted dribbles.

Speaking after the continental encounter, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand stated the 17-year-old is already better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at his age. He told TNT Sports (h/t Tribuna):

"The thing that really caught my eye about him, other than the moments of brilliance, is that every part of his left foot was used in that game. He's an artist. At this age, he's ahead of Cristiano, he's ahead of Messi. His stats alone... he's had 100 appearances at 17! These guys were nowhere near that and he's dominating games, he defining games."

Showering more praise on the Spanish winger, Ferdinand continued:

"The trophies that he's won, and he's been integral to winning those trophies for both club and country. He's on the cusp of maybe doing a treble for Barcelona [this season] and being one of the best players. At 17, we have not seen this."

Yamal, 17, has scored 22 goals and provided 33 assists in 101 total games for his boyhood club since making his professional debut in April 2023.