Morata says Van Dijk tougher opponent and reveals Ronaldo’s gifts

Alvaro Morata says Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is the toughest opponent he’s ever faced and reveals two gifts from Brazilian legend Ronaldo, including a shirt from the 2002 World Cup Final.

Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk is the strongest opponent Morata has ever faced in his career, the Milan star told Spanish Youtuber Rodrigo Faez.

A former Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid forward, Morata revealed that when he was 18 he had a chance to know ex-Brazilian striker Ronaldo.

“My cousin gifted me a night out with Ronaldo when I was 18,” Morata revealed.

Morata reveals Ronaldo’s gifts

“He knew him, and given that it was very hard to go out for lunch or dinner, he told me we’d drink something together after dinner. We ended up at Ronaldo’s home to drink something. I remember entering a room where he had the Brazil shirt from the 2002 World Cup Final, the boots, the football. I remained there for an hour, and I thought it could not be true. He told me, ‘Take whatever you want. You are a good person, and I am delighted to give it to you.’ Therefore, I grabbed the 2002 shirt and the boots. He also wanted to give me a copy of the Ballon d’Or.”

Morata joined Milan on a permanent €13m transfer from Atletico Madrid last summer.

“When I came here I thought about the great players from the past like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Baresi, Maldini, Van Basten and many others,” he said.

Another Milan legend, Kaka, is a good friend of Morata and a former teammate of the Spanish striker in Madrid.

“He helped me when I was very young. He’s a customary lad, and we still talk quite often today,” said Morata.

A former Juventus star, Morata has scored five goals in 15 appearances across all competitions this season.

Overall, he has scored 39 goals in 141 Serie A matches with Milan and Juventus.

His contract at San Siro runs out in June 2028, but the Rossoneri have an option to extend it for a further season.