Ranking the 5 hardest players to defend against currently

#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup Final 2021

Erling Haaland is one of the brightest prospects in world football.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame over the last couple of years. Having started out with Molde in Norway, Haaland earned a move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.

Although Haaland spent only one year at Salzburg, he was thoroughly impressive. He notched up quite a few goals in a short period of time, catching the attention of Europe's elite. He was ultimately signed by Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

Since joining Dortmund, Haaland has only gotten better. Blessed with an extraordinary eye for goal, Haaland is a regular on the scoresheet with Dortmund. In 67 appearances, Haaland has already scored 68 goals at over a goal a game.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Haaland is also dangerous in the air. He boasts a rare combination of pace, strength and finishing that comes along only once in a generation. With his career seemingly destined for an even bigger club, there is no doubt that Haaland will continue to break records until his retirement.

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#2 Lionel Messi - Paris Saint-Germain

Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Lionel Messi has lit up football fields for the better part of 15 years now.

Arguably one of the best players in football history, Messi is well-known even to non-football fans. Messi made his debut for Barcelona in 2004 and went on to spend 17 long, successful years at the Nou Camp.

During his time in Spain, Messi won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey awards and four UEFA Champions League medals, becoming one of the most decorated footballers ever.

Famed for his otherworldly close control and his incredible precision, Messi has made a habit of tormenting defenders worldwide. He has been described as a nightmare to defend against: he is capable of dropping his shoulder and switching sides and also of going for goal directly.

Blessed with impeccable dribbling ability, Messi has single-handedly won games on many occasions. His recent move to Paris Saint-Germain came as a shock to football fans worldwide, but there is no doubt Messi will only add further laurels to his already successful career with the French outfit.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Cristiano Ronaldo is a household name in world football.

Arguably one of the best to ever play the game, Ronaldo has made a name for himself as a devastating goalscorer. Originally from Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo signed for Manchester United in 2003. He spent six years in England before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2009.

His time in England and Spain perfectly encapsulates his evolution as a player. Starting out initially as a winger, Ronaldo could often be seen causing chaos on the wings. A nightmare for defenders, Ronaldo was incredibly skilled and tricky on the ball.

In Spain, he evolved into more of a direct goalscorer. His record with Real Madrid is extraordinary: Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Los Blancos, winning two La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles.

This was followed by a move to Italy with Juventus, where he spent three years and won two league titles and one Golden Boot. The recent transfer window saw Ronaldo rejoin Manchester United in a move that was awaited by many for a long time.

Ronaldo has hit the ground running with United, already scoring four goals in just three appearances for the Red Devils. He recently broke the record for most-ever goals scored in football history. Ronaldo has an unprecedented 678 goals at club-level and 111 goals at country level.

At 36 years of age, it is fair to say that Ronaldo still sends shivers down the spines of opposition defenders even today.

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