Virgil van Dijk names his all-time five-a-side team | OneFootball

Virgil Van Dijk stands as a colossal figure in modern football, particularly with his triumphant journey at Liverpool, where he played a pivotal role in securing both the Champions League and Premier League titles under the management of Jurgen Klopp. At 32, he has not only become a brilliant player but has etched his name among the greatest centre-backs in the modern history of the sport.

Beyond his remarkable defensive prowess, Van Dijk recently demonstrated his discerning taste in football talent during a feature on the FIFPRO YouTube channel. In anticipation of the Best FIFA awards on January 15th, where the FIFPRO best XI will be unveiled, Van Dijk shared his dream five-a-side team.

In the video, the towering Dutchman assembled a team that would undoubtedly outclass opponents at local leisure centers and pose a formidable challenge to any top-tier team worldwide. His selection, a blend of football legends from both past and present, has captivated fans and analysts alike.

It’s evident that Van Dijk's appreciation for football excellence extends beyond his defensive duties, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of the beautiful game. His choices not only reflect individual brilliance but also a collective synergy that would make his dream team a force to be reckoned with on any football pitch. Without further ado, let’s take a look at who made the former Celtic man’s team.

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Van Dijk was full of praise for his Liverpool teammate

In goal, the man-mountain opted for his current teammate, Alisson Becker. And it’s hard to argue with his reasoning:

The Brazilian shot-stopper has been nothing short of imperious since joining The Reds in 2018. With 110 clean sheets at the time of writing, he now holds the third-highest clean sheet percentage in the club's history among goalkeepers who have played more than 50 times.

However, it's not just Allison's prowess with his hands that makes him a terrific choice; it's also his exceptional ability with the ball at his feet. Since his arrival, he has revolutionized the way Liverpool builds attacks, and his remarkable range of passing renders him as big of a threat as any of the club's playmakers.

Imagining him in a small-sided game, the 31-year-old would likely be racking up as many assists as the goals he might concede, if he conceded any at all. This dual threat, both defensively and offensively, solidifies Allison's status as one of the most influential and versatile goalkeepers in the modern game.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk has established himself as one of the world's best centre-backs

Although it might sound vain for Van Dijk to include himself in his own team, the defender offers a very humble explanation:

Truthfully, the Dutch captain is doing himself a disservice with his comments. The defender is the perfect inclusion in this team. His ability on the ball means that he would be comfortable enough dictating play from deep as he tries to find his more offensive teammates. Defensively, there would also be no getting past him.

The former Southampton man famously kept some of the best attackers in the world at bay when he went 50 games without being dribbled past. With that in mind, we wouldn’t fancy many people’s chances of beating him, especially in even tighter surroundings. We might even argue that Allison takes the day off because there’s a good chance Van Dijk won’t be letting any shots at his goal.

Left-midfield: Ronaldinho

Van Dijk revealed Ronaldinho was his childhood idol

Starting arguably the most formidable attacking trio you’ll ever see, is the mercurial Ronaldinho. The former Ballon d’Or winner entertained everyone with his dazzling array of tricks. Even Real Madrid fans had to stand up and applaud his greatness. It wasn’t just Los Blancos supporters that the Brazilian had in awe, it was our defender in question too.

Given the fact that Van Dijk turned out to be a towering defender, it may be a surprise to see him select the silky winger as one of his idols, yet such was the enthusiasm with which the former A.C. Milan man played the game.

The samba superstar not only won everything there was to win, including the Champions League and the World Cup, but he did so with an infectious smile across his face. While fabulous players have come and gone since, so few did so with the enjoyment of Ronaldinho, while also being such a threat to defenders.

Right-midfield: Lionel Messi

Van Dijk called Messi 'one of the best ever'

Alongside Ronaldinho is the man whom he mentored during his final years at Barcelona. Lionel Messi’s greatness is undeniable to anyone, so it doesn’t come as a shock to see Liverpool’s number 4 acknowledge him in such glowing terms.

Van Dijk is arguably better placed than most people when talking about the Argentine’s greatness. He was on the pitch when the Inter Miami man found the top corner with a free kick from all of 30 yards out to score his 600th goal for Barcelona.

By having both him and Ronaldinho in attack, you not only have two players who can embarrass any defender, but you already have an in-built connection. After all, it was the Brazilian who provided the assist for Messi’s first official Barcelona goal.

With eight Ballon d’Or titles to his name, Messi will be hoping to add to his legacy by securing a record third men’s player of the year award at The Best FIFA awards next month.

Striker: Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo won the World Cup twice in his legendary career

Completing the dream team is none other than the original Ronaldo, who, if not for injuries, may have gone down as the most dominant player to ever play football. Blessed with freakish athleticism and devastating ability, R9 was a player with a genetic make-up that only someone like Erling Haaland could come close to replicating. Van Dijk was quick to point this out when explaining his reason for selecting Nazario:

As the Dutchman mentioned, injuries plagued the two-time World Cup winner, but that did not stop him from leaving his legacy as one of the greatest players to grace our screens. Now, just imagine being down at your Monday night 5-a-side league and seeing him spearhead your opponents' attack. Think it would be a good idea to forfeit then and there.