Super Eagles star snubs Ronaldo, Zlatan and Neymar, names their biggest rival as his toughest opponent

Super Eagles and Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong has named Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the toughest attacker he has faced in his career so far. 

Ekong is known as one of the best central defenders in the world considering the level at which the Nigeria operates at the back line. 

Lionel Messi is no doubt one of the feared forwards in the world whose style of play has always been a nightmare for many defenders. 

When Nigeria played Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, William Troost-Ekong faced Messi in which the Argentine scored against the Super Eagles. 

In his career so far, Ekong has also faced the likes of Harry Kane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Lionel Messi proved more difficult. 

"Playing at Udinese, Serie A as a defender is really difficult, every week playing against top players, Ronaldo has always managed a goal against us. 

"I have played against both Messi and Ronaldo, also Neymar, Zlatan many greats of the game, but Messi is something different. 

"The goal against us in St Petersburg, I can still see it in slow motion, not being able to do anything about it. He is special,''. Ekong explained