Kyle Walker, the 34-year-old Manchester City right-back, is no stranger to facing some of the world’s most elite footballers. With six Premier League titles to his name and numerous battles on the European and international stage, Walker has built a reputation for his exceptional one-on-one defending. However, when asked to name the four toughest opponents he's faced, Walker surprised many by leaving out both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – two of the greatest players in football history.
Walker has faced a who's who of the football world during his career, playing for both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the Premier League. His defensive prowess has been tested by the best, and fans were eager to know who he considers his toughest challenges on the pitch.
Given his encounters with Messi during Barcelona's dominant years and Ronaldo’s stints with Real Madrid and Manchester United, many expected these two global icons to top Walker's list. However, Walker's choices were unexpected, providing insight into the specific playing styles and qualities that have troubled him most over the years.
Who made the list?
Walker is a legend of the game and has played against some of the greats of modern times. His list was not a big shock which involves many Premier League modern-day legends.
Kyle Walker, Manchester City full-back, said:
"First of all, I would say (Eden) Hazard. We’ve had some good battles at Tottenham, you know, Tottenham vs. Chelsea. He was really tough to mark, and sometimes I got the better of him, sometimes he got the better of me.
"Second, I would say (Sadio) Mane. Again, you know, being at Manchester City, I’ve had some great rivals with Liverpool and coming up against him was always tough. You know, so skilful, worked really hard for the team, and also, you know, chipped in with a lot of goals, sometimes against me."
"(Kylian) Mbappe or Vinicius Junior. I think it’s hard to say between them both. You know, Mbappe very, very skilful. Obviously played against him at PSG and against France in the World Cup. Vinicius Junior I think the same, very skilful young player, exciting winger, you know, with the world at his feet, so I think both of them deserve a mention, and it would be hard for me to say a top three."
A defender's perspective on tough opponents
For defenders like Walker, facing the best in the world means contending with different playing styles and attributes. While Messi and Ronaldo are legends in their own right, Walker’s snub highlights that, from a defensive standpoint, certain players present more direct challenges to his skill set.
Messi’s low center of gravity and ability to glide past players with the ball at his feet may be less of a threat in one-on-one duels for a player of Walker’s pace. Ronaldo’s aerial prowess and physical dominance might also not align with Walker’s toughest matchups, given his ability to handle speed and physicality well.
As football continues to evolve, Walker’s insights remind us that football is not just about the stars at the top of the game, but also about the battles that take place across the pitch in every one-on-one duel. For sports fans and bettors, Walker’s revelations provide food for thought when analyzing upcoming matches and player performances.
