The rivalry between Nemanja Vidic and Fernando Torres remains one of the most talked-about individual battles in modern Premier League history. And now, the embers of that feud have been reignited, with the legendary Manchester United defender recently laughing off the long-standing claim that his Liverpool adversary was the toughest opponent he ever faced.
For years, fans and pundits alike pushed the narrative that Torres tormented Vidic, particularly in the season-shaping clashes between Liverpool and United in the late 2000s. The prime exhibit of this belief came in March 2009, when Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool dismantled United 4-1 at Old Trafford. That day, Torres famously bullied Vidic off the ball, forced a crucial error, and played a key role in the red card that capped a nightmare performance for the Serbian defender. Watch Torres' goal below:
That 2008/09 season was arguably Liverpool’s best shot at ending their long wait for a Premier League title under the guidance of their 2005 Champions League-winning boss. Yet, despite all the promise, the Reds would ultimately fall short, finish runners-up to their fiercest rivals, and have to wait another 11 years for league glory, long after both players had left English football.
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Nemanja Vidic Names Toughest Opponent He Faced
He laughed at the idea of it being Fernando Torres, picking Lionel Messi instead
Nemanja Vidic
Strength, pace, power, movement, intelligence - Torres, nicknamed "El Nino" by the Anfield faithful, had it all during his pomp at Liverpool. So, it would be easy to see why Vidic might naturally lean toward naming him as his toughest opponent. After all, the Serbian - still considered one of the Premier League’s greatest centre-backs - was sent off three times when facing him alone.
But a deeper dive into Torres’ stats against the Red Devils helps balance the narrative. The Spaniard only managed three goals in 12 appearances against what was then the country’s dominant force. So when Vidic was recently asked by Gary Neville to name his toughest opponent, he scoffed when someone off-camera suggested Torres after having already named Lionel Messi (watch 01:27 of the video below).
Vidic's Record Against Lionel Messi
The Serbian lost two Champions League finals against Barcelona
Lionel Messi with the Champions League trophy in 2011
Vidic's record against Messi, somehow, was even worse than his often-highlighted struggles with Torres. He faced the Argentine magician four times in his career, with his only real triumph coming in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals, when he helped Man United keep back-to-back clean sheets and went on to lift his first and only major European trophy.
But things quickly turned sour after that. Two of his remaining meetings with Messi came in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals. On both occasions, Barcelona were irresistible, with Messi scoring in each final and dancing rings around United’s backline. The Catalans played Vidic’s side off the park, and the Serbian was left chasing shadows, as if haunted by Messi’s every movement. Watch Messi's best moments against the Red Devils below:
So, while Torres certainly had his moments against Vidic, Messi relished the battle, and arguably humiliated him with more ease and frequency. With four goals in six games against United overall, Messi’s brilliance against English opposition stands out even more considering he never graced the Premier League himself, unlike his Ballon d’Or rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 03/07/2025)