Lіvеrрооl legend Stеvеn Gеrrаrd has opened up аbоut the toughest opponents hе еvеr faced durіng his illustrious саrееr, аnd surprisingly, thе names оf Crіѕtіаnо Rоnаldо аnd Lіоnеl Mеѕѕі wеrе nowhere tо bе fоund оn hіѕ lіѕt.
A Career Spanning Nearly Two Decades at Liverpool
Gerrard, who spent 17 unforgettable years at Liverpool, played against some of the greatest footballers in history. As the club’s long-serving captain, he shared the pitch with iconic teammates such as Luis Suárez, Fernando Torres, and Xabi Alonso, while also going head-to-head against Europe’s finest stars in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
During his time at Anfield, Gerrard battled Ronaldo in the fiery North-West derbies against Manchester United and later crossed paths with Messi when Liverpool faced Barcelona in European competition. Despite acknowledging both as two of the greatest players of all time, Gerrard chose to highlight three other midfielders as the most difficult opponents he ever encountered.
Why Not Messi or Ronaldo?
It’s important to note that Gerrard has often praised both Ronaldo and Messi throughout his career, describing them as the greatest footballers to ever play the game. However, when asked by ESPN to name his three toughest rivals, the former England captain focused specifically on midfielders he had to directly battle against week in and week out in the Premier League.
And in that context, three names stood out above the rest: Claude Makélélé, Roy Keane, and Patrick Vieira.
1. Claude Makélélé – The Master of the Defensive Midfield Role
The first name Gerrard mentioned was Claude Makélélé, a player widely credited with redefining the role of a defensive midfielder. The Frenchman enjoyed great success with Chelsea, winning six major trophies, including two Premier League titles under José Mourinho.
Gerrard admitted that going up against Makélélé was always a difficult task. In fact, their head-to-head record highlights the challenge: across 17 encounters for club and country, Gerrard’s teams managed just three wins, while losing 10 and drawing four.
Makélélé’s tactical intelligence, positioning, and ability to break up play made him one of the most frustrating yet respected opponents Gerrard ever faced.
2. Roy Keane – The Fierce Manchester United Captain
Next on Gerrard’s list was Roy Keane, the fiery Irish midfielder and longtime captain of Manchester United. Known for his leadership, aggression, and tireless work rate, Keane was at the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominant United sides of the 1990s and early 2000s.
During his 12 years at Old Trafford, Keane collected an astonishing 17 major trophies, including seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the 1999 UEFA Champions League as part of United’s famous treble-winning season.
For Gerrard, facing Keane meant going up against not just a technically strong midfielder, but also a relentless competitor who could dictate the tempo of the game and intimidate opponents with his commanding presence.
3. Patrick Vieira – Arsenal’s Midfield General
The final name Gerrard highlighted was Patrick Vieira, the legendary French midfielder who captained Arsenal during their golden era under Arsène Wenger. Vieira’s mix of power, elegance, and leadership made him one of the most complete midfielders of his generation.
Interestingly, Gerrard’s personal record against Vieira was more favorable compared to Makélélé and Keane. Out of 15 encounters, Liverpool won seven matches, losing just five. But despite often coming out on top, Gerrard still ranked Vieira among the most difficult rivals he had ever faced.
Vieira’s trophy cabinet speaks for itself: three Premier League titles, including the famous “Invincibles” season of 2003/04, along with four FA Cups and four Community Shields. His consistency and dominance in midfield made him a nightmare opponent for any player, Gerrard included.
Gerrard’s Respect for All-Time Greats
While Gerrard chose Makélélé, Keane, and Vieira as his toughest direct rivals, he has never shied away from praising Messi and Ronaldo, frequently labeling them as the two greatest players in football history. His decision to omit them from this particular list reflects the difference between admiring greatness from a distance and battling in the trenches of midfield duels week after week.
For Gerrard, it was the relentless battles in the Premier League midfield that left the greatest impression — contests where physicality, tactical intelligence, and leadership often mattered just as much as raw skill.
Steven Gerrard’s choices remind football fans that while Messi and Ronaldo dominate the conversation about the greatest of all time, there are other legends whose impact was felt just as strongly on the pitch, especially in head-to-head battles.
By naming Claude Makélélé, Roy Keane, and Patrick Vieira, Gerrard highlighted the uncompromising reality of Premier League midfield wars during his era — a battleground that shaped him into one of the most respected midfielders in football history.
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