Jurgen Klopp in awe of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at 2026 World Cup

Jurgen Klopp has expressed his deep admiration for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the ongoing 2026 World Cup. Despite their advanced years, the duo remains the central highlight of the tournament, consistently validating their status as the greatest players of the last two decades.

Klopp was particularly impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s resilience following the criticism he faced after his opening match. The Portuguese star responded with a brace against Uzbekistan, becoming his nation’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. The 59-year-old coach highlighted that seeing a 41-year-old player maintain such intensity and passion is truly extraordinary.

Regarding Lionel Messi, Klopp analyzed the Argentine's unique tactical approach. He noted that what appears to be "walking" is actually a precise, high-level scanning of the pitch. Klopp shared a personal memory of a brief encounter with Messi on the sidelines, admitting that even for him, the moment was profoundly special.

It's extraordinary that we get to experience this generation. It's special. Jurgen Klopp

Beyond the global icons, Klopp also praised German forward Deniz Undav, who recently shone as the match-winner against Ivory Coast. He lauded Undav’s exceptional technique and goal-scoring instincts. However, Klopp refused to pressure national team coach Julian Nagelsmann regarding the striker's starting position, emphasizing that such tactical decisions remain the sole responsibility of the coach.