Iconic defender makes huge Virgil van Dijk claim | OneFootball

Alessandro Nesta’s High Praise for Virgil van Dijk

When one of Italy’s greatest defensive icons speaks, people tend to listen. Alessandro Nesta, a World Cup winner and two-time Champions League champion with AC Milan, knows what world-class defending looks like. His verdict on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was emphatic.

“For me, now Van Dijk is the best,” said Nesta.“The best because he performs every year at the same level. He plays in the Premier League, the biggest league in the world, for me, and toughest.So, for me he is the best.”

There is something powerful in how simply he puts it. No tactical breakdown, no statistical overload, just one serial winner recognising another. Consistency, durability and dominance at the highest level remain the measure of greatness in Nesta’s eyes and Van Dijk ticks every box.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Leaders Across Generations

Liverpool fans will appreciate the significance of such acclaim. Nesta spent his career mastering defensive art in an era of fierce Italian tactical warfare, where positioning and timing mattered as much as strength and speed. To see him acknowledge Van Dijk as the standout in modern football bridges eras of defending that rarely get compared fairly.

Keywords like Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk and Alessandro Nesta belong together for good reason. These are defenders who influence entire teams, not just backlines. They marshal space, intimidate forwards and control tempo without needing a tackle to prove a point.

Legacy Building Under Arne Slot

Van Dijk is writing his own legacy chapter by chapter. Since arriving from Southampton in January 2018 he has made 329 appearances for Liverpool, scored 29 goals and lifted eight major honours. More significantly he became the first Dutchman to captain a team to the Premier League title when Arne Slot brought the trophy back to Anfield in 2024-25.

That title win matters. It cemented Van Dijk not only as a great defender but as one of the Premier League’s most influential leaders. Slot may have delivered success in his debut season but it is his captain who embodies calm under pressure.

Why Nesta’s Words Matter

Football is often awash with empty compliments yet Nesta’s endorsement carries authority. He understands the difference between form and legacy. To perform at the same elite level every season in what he calls “the biggest league in the world” demands concentration, intelligence and physical superiority.

Van Dijk has restored the aura of the commanding centre-back in English football. Liverpool have built title-winning foundations upon his presence. Young defenders will study his positioning while old greats like Nesta will nod in appreciation.

When the game’s legends salute one of their own, history pays attention.