Josko Gvardiol has been one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs over the last few years.
The defender has been in competition with many players, such as Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias, and Gabriel Magalhaes, since joining from RB Leipzig for £77million.
And, although Pep Guardiola has started to use him as a left-back more regularly, that doesn’t mean he can’t compete with the previously mentioned players.
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Gvardiol is also just 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to grow into an even better player.
Josko Gvardiol pictured playing for Manchester City in the Champions League.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
And now, he’s admitted that Van Dijk, who was once dubbed “special” by his teammates, was his idol when he was growing up.
Virgil van Dijk was Josko Gvardiol’s idol when he was growing up
Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool’s best players over the last few years.
The centre-back has not only kept his teammates in line, but he’s also single-handedly won the Reds points.
In fact, Van Dijk’s last-minute goal against Atletico Madrid earlier in the season was the reason why Liverpool walked away with a win from their opening Champions League clash of the campaign.
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And now, while speaking to Manchester City’s official X account, Gvardiol has admitted that Van Dijk is his idol by simply saying “Virgil van Dijk” when asked about who his idol was when growing up.
Josko Gvardiol has always been fond of Virgil van Dijk
Although Liverpool fans may revel in the fact that one of the Reds’ players is the idol of a Manchester City player, the Croatian’s adoration for Van Dijk has been known for some time.
Since he’s only 23 years old, Gvardiol will remember the current crop of Premier League players the most out of any other generation.
And, even though Gvardiol is supposed to be Van Dijk’s rival, the fact that he dubbed the Dutchman the best player in the world back in 2023 shows how long he’s admired him for.
“As a kid, I admired Lionel Messi, but now I am increasingly watching the players in my position,” he said in quotes relayed by talkSPORT.
“And today Virgil Van Dijk is the best.”
It’s nice to know that the quality of Liverpool’s players are appreciated by players from opposing teams.
Because most of the time, they’re made out to hate one another when, at the end of the day, football is just a game and the players are just getting on with their jobs.