Better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Ex-Premier League defender makes surprise pick for toughest opponent despite labelling Inter Miami star 'unplayable'

Troost-Ekong has played with a number of clubs throughout his 11-year-long career, lining up for top-flight sides in eight different countries including in the Premier League. The former Watford defender has gone up against a number of world-class forwards including Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar Jr, and Karim Benzema among others. However, the Nigerian has named former Atalanta and Torino striker Duvan Zapata as the toughest he has faced in his career so far. Troost-Ekong has faced the Colombian striker twice and conceded four goals including a hat trick.

When asked about the best forward he has faced, Troost-Ekong said on talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs: “There was one striker at Atalanta called Duvan Zapata, a Colombian striker, and it was in 2019, and I just couldn’t get near him.

“Too strong, too fast, a great finisher, and just his awareness in the box. I think he scored quite a lot of goals against me that season, and he was my nightmare, my nemesis.

“I would have to give it to him, but there’s too many great strikers to name, to be honest.”

Despite naming Zapata as his biggest nightmare, Troost-Ekong went on to praise Messi's 'unplayable' ability in attack. The two faced off against each other only once when Nigeria lost 2-1 to Argentina in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup.

When asked about Messi, the Nigerian said: “One word, probably unplayable. It was something special. You find yourself standing there thinking: ‘God, this bloke's good!'

"I think when he scored the opening goal against us, it was like it was in slow motion. You couldn't really do anything, you just had to watch it. And close to cheering because it was fantastic. And then you remember you're on the other team.”

The Nigerian currently plays with Al-Kholood and will face Ronaldo's Al-Nassr soon. As such, building up on his comments about Messi, Troost-Ekong compared the two, he said: "It's a different quality. You can really see that he's [Messi] just reading the game. And when it comes to life, then there's not much you can do.”

However, when asked to pick between the two he said: “This is difficult to say. I'll probably have to face Ronaldo again later this year. I don't want to get him mad.”