| Last updated 15:45, 28 December 2023 GMT
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has selected his dream five-a-side team
and it includes some intriguing additions.
The 32-year-old has long been considered one of the standout performers for Jurgen Klopp’s side, having won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League since joining the club over six years ago from Southampton.
Challenged by FIFPRO to name four players to play alongside him, the Netherlands international claimed his team would ‘beat anyone’.
”In goal I would obviously go with Alisson Becker, my goalkeeper at Liverpool,” began the former Celtic defender.
“What a goalkeeper. What a guy. He’s achieved so much already and I think definitely he’s the best goalkeeper I have ever played with.”
Becker joined Liverpool from Roma back in 2018 for a record fee of £66.8 million. The Brazilian has been an ever-present feature for Klopp’s team ever since and is widely considered as one of the world’s best.
“I’m going to put myself because I would love to play in this team,” continued Van Dijk.
With just three more spots up for grabs, the former Celtic man offered a candid reason as to who he would pick on the left side of the team soon after.
“I will put on the left Ronaldinho,” he added.
“My idol, the legend. The guy that I always looked up to when I was young and that I tried to recreate on the streets because I played a lot of football.”
Having enjoyed plenty of battles with Messi over the years, Virgil couldn’t ignore the World Cup winner, despite their often tightly-contested tussles when facing off in the Champions League in recent years.
“On the right I’ll put Lionel Messi. Arguably one of the best players of all time, I don’t need to say too much to be fair,” said van Dijk.
Finally, Virgil selected Brazil legend Ronaldo to lead the line, insisting not many could come close to beating his five-a-side picks.
“I think we would beat all of the five-a-side teams that have been picked. Hopefully we can conquer the world!”
