Peter Schmeichel says Tottenham transfer target Josko Gvardiol, who is ‘one of the defenders of the future’, was ‘hung out to dry’ by Lionel Messi at the Qatar World Cup.
Argentina booted Croatia out of the World Cup, which included an ‘incredible’ moment by Messi, when he danced around the opposition team, before laying the ball on a plate for Julian Alvarez to kill off the game and send his nation to the final.
All tournament long, Gvardiol has been praised for his performances, but even though he is 20 and has over a decade left in the game, he’s probably come up against the greatest of them all already.
Whilst for many of Gvardiol’s countrymen, such as the iconic figure Luka Modric, this is their final hurdle on football’s biggest stage.
But for the RB Leipzig man, this is just the start and that lesson from Messi is one that he will remember for a long time and it will make him a better player for it.
Legendary goalkeeper Schmeichel pointed out how Gvardiol has been one of the defenders of the tournament, but not against Messi, as he told beINSPORTS (13/12/22 at 9:05 pm).
“He’s one of the defenders of the future and has been one of the best defenders of the tournament,” said Schmeichel. “Yet that bloke is 35 years of age and for the third goal, he has hung him out to dry.
“That was an incredible moment that this guy could do that. We were saying ‘don’t let him in the box’. How do you not let him in the box when you are that good? That little trick and he created the goal that sealed it.
“This is one of the best defenders in the tournament. It’s happening, not only in the box. It’s happening in the halfway line. One is 20 and the other is 35.”
PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST IN GVARDIOL
With the January transfer window around the corner, this World Cup has been the perfect setting for players to enhance their reputations or perhaps help themselves earn that big-money move.
Prior to the World Cup, someone like Gvardiol was impressing in the Champions League and making himself known.
That’s why the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham have expressed an interest in him, and his recent outing with Messi wouldn’t have changed their minds.
Whether it’s during the winter transfer window, next summer or further down the line, Gvardiol is showing that he will enter the Premier League stage sooner rather than later.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
