5 hours Ago By Louis Sealey
Arsenal defender William Saliba (Picture: Getty)Arsenal star William Saliba has revealed who he rates as the ‘best defender in history’.The 23-year-old has been widely tipped to establish himself as one of the best in the world in the coming years.Some may even argue he has already reached that level, but his critics will point to his lack of trophies as reason to overlook him in this particular debate.
Saliba himself acknowledges that lifting silverware will boost his cause, citing the many trophies won by Sergio Ramos as justification for labelling him the ‘best defender in history’.Ramos became one of the most decorated players of all time during his 16-year spell at Real Madrid, lifting five La Liga titles and four Champions League at the Bernabeu.Get personalised updates on Arsenal everydayWake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.The 38-year-old helped Paris Saint-Germain win two league titles after leaving Real Madrid, while he was a key part of the Spain side that won two European Championships either side of their World Cup win in 2010.Saliba was desperate to take home Ramos’ shirt when Arsenal played Sevilla during the 2023-24 season as he rates the Spaniard as the ‘best in history’ ahead of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Sergio Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)‘We played against him last season and of course I wanted his shirt,’ Saliba said. But [Arsenal teammate] Gabriel also wanted it.‘He wanted it so bad so he gave it to him.
For me, he is the best in history. There is some others like Van Dijk who is unbelievable, Gabriel and others too.‘When I was younger everyone wanted to be a striker or a winger, we didn’t think about centre back but sometimes that’s football.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (Picture: Getty)‘If you’re not good enough to play up front you have to go at the back but I think now it changes a bit you can see more there are young players they want to be a centre back or full-back.‘Sergio Ramos, one of the best in history, showed you don’t have to be so big [to be the world’s best] but of course it is good if you are big. Everyone has their own qualities so it depends.
‘I have to score more goals and help my team to win some trophies. When you win you can say you are the best.‘We haven’t won and this season I didn’t help but we are still in the Champions League so we need to push ourselves.
’Arsenal will face Ramos’ former club Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Mikel Arteta’s side thumped PSV and Carlo Ancelotti’s team edged past Atletico Madrid.For now, the Gunners turn their attentions to a Premier League clash with London rivals Chelsea on Sunday. Real Madrid, meanwhile, travel to Villarreal on Saturday as they look to catch La Liga leaders Barcelona.
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