Kyle Walker Snubs Mbappe, Neymar Picks African Star As His Toughest Opponent

Kyle Walker Snubs Mbappe, Neymar Picks African Star As His Toughest Opponent

  • Kyle Walker has named Liverpool legend Sadio Mane as the toughest opponent he's ever faced in his career
  • The Al-Nassr star faced the England international in many high-profile matches in the Premier League
  • Walker also came up against elite wingers like Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Brazil star Neymar

Kyle Walker recently named Al-Nassr and Senegal winger Sadio Mane as his toughest opponent.

Walker, considered one of the best right-backs of all time, is known for his elite defending and recovery ability. He has faced some of the best players in the 21st century.

He has faced the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mane.

Kyle Walker faced Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in the Premier League many times
Kyle Walker is considered the greatest rightback in Premier League history. Photo by Robin Jones and James Gill-Danehouse.
Source: UGC

Before facing Mbapope in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final in Qatar, Walker was asked who the toughest winger he had faced was.

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Everyone expected him to say Real Madrid star Mbappe or Al-Hilal's Neymar, but he picked Mane and highlighted why.

"I think Neymar is a fantastic player. I would probably say Sadio Mane. Just because he never gives you a moment’s rest on the ball," he said via Metro Sports.
"I’m not saying that the other guys that I mentioned don’t, but you know, they probably don’t defend as much as Mane does and they save their energy when they’re attacking. So, for me it’d probably be Mane."

The England defender faced Mane during the height of the Manchester City and Liverpool rivalry. The two-time African Player of the Year faced Man City 21 times, mainly for Liverpool and scored 10 times, per Transfermarkt.

Mane compared to Ronaldo

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YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold compared Mane to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The England star said the Senegal international could do anything and was one of the hardest players to defend.

Mane, Ronaldo among highest-paid players in Saudi

In another report, YEN.com.gh compiled a list of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League currently, based on figures by Capology.

The Saudi Arabia topflight has attracted elite talent by offering huge salaries, with three players earning over £1 million per week.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Richard Nutakor avatar

Richard Nutakor (Sports Editor) Richard Nutakor is a digital media enthusiast with over 8 years of working experience in media and digital. He's worked with notable media brands in Ghana like Media General, owners of TV3 Ghana, 3FM, Onua FM & Connect FM. He's also worked with Global Media Alliance as a Digital Account Manager. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Ghana in 2016 and a Masters in Brands and Communication Management from the University of Professional Studies, Accra. Email: richard.kekeli@sportsbrief.com