Alessandro Nesta names Virgil van Dijk the best defender in the world

Last Updated on 10 October 2025

In a debate that consistently grips the football world, legendary Italian defender Alessandro Nesta has weighed in with a definitive verdict: Virgil van Dijk is currently the best defender in the world.

The former AC Milan and Italy icon, himself a benchmark for defensive excellence, offered his high praise for the Liverpool captain, cementing Virgil Van Dijk’s status among the elite.

Alessandro Nesta full of praise of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk

Nesta, renowned for his elegance and impeccable reading of the game, highlighted the Dutchman’s consistency and performance in the sport’s most challenging environment.

Speaking to Goal, the legendary defender said: “For me now is a Van Dijk is the best.”

“Because he perform every year at the same level. He play in a Premier League. The biggest league in the world for me at the toughest and for me he’s the best.”

Liverpool’s defensive anchor: The impact of Virgil van Dijk

The affirmation from a four-time Serie A winner and World Cup champion carries significant weight. Nesta’s criteria, sustained high performance and thriving in the demanding Premier League, underscore Van Dijk’s exceptional qualities.

Since joining Liverpool, Van Dijk has been transformative, anchoring one of Europe’s most successful teams and leading them to both Premier League and Champions League glory.

His ability to dominate both defensively and in possession is what truly sets him apart from other elite defenders. Van Dijk possesses a rare blend of pace, colossal strength, leadership, and composed ball-playing ability, making him the complete centre-back.

He is also famously difficult to beat in a one-on-one situation, a trait that makes strikers think twice before approaching him.

The comments reignite the ongoing discussion about who holds the title of the world’s premier centre-back, with players like Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal’s William Saliba often cited.

However, Nesta’s backing gives Van Dijk a powerful endorsement, particularly from a member of the defensive old guard who understands the art of defending at its highest level.

For Liverpool fans and football analysts alike, this legendary praise simply validates what they have known for years: in Van Dijk, they possess a generational talent.

His consistent brilliance, even after a severe injury, proves his elite mentality and physical superiority, making him, in the eyes of Nesta, the undisputed best centre-back in the world.