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Jurgen Klopp has confessed to being an avid follower of the 2026 World Cup, expressing admiration for the enduring brilliance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Liverpool boss, watching the tournament as a spectator, was enthralled by how the two football icons continue to influence the competition despite being in the twilight of their careers.

Klopp captivated by Ronaldo’s comeback spirit

Both Messi and Ronaldo have once again become the standout figures of this World Cup, reaffirming their GOAT status even at their age. Klopp, aged 59, was particularly struck by Ronaldo’s response to early criticism. After a sluggish start, the Portuguese captain bounced back with a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, a performance that made him his nation’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

“As just a viewer, it naturally fascinates me a bit because they are the best players of the last ten or fifteen years,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “But what truly impressed me was this: after the first game, when Cristiano Ronaldo faced heavy criticism – even I noticed that – he responded with such an emphatic performance. And to do that at 41, with so much energy and intensity, was remarkable. The fact that he still gets upset when things don’t go his way at that age is extraordinary, and his reaction was all the more admirable.”

Analysing the genius of Lionel Messi

Klopp reserved equally glowing praise for Messi. The Argentine maestro starred in Argentina’s 2-0 triumph over Austria, leaving Klopp amazed by his precise and efficient play. “I watched Lionel Messi live, and when you see that he covers around eight kilometres in a match, you think: that’s the perfect distance. Eight kilometres, because he’s always there at the decisive moment. But of course, not everyone can do that. Imagine if every player ran only eight kilometres,” Klopp observed.

For Klopp, what many perceive as Messi ‘walking’ is actually a masterclass in tactical awareness. “It’s incredible to watch him. People might say he’s walking, but I think he’s scanning the field. I often watched him even when the ball was elsewhere, just to see what he was doing. I believe he’s calculating distances and positioning himself perfectly – now to the right, now to the centre,” Klopp explained.

“The match against Austria wasn’t really his game for a long time, but then came those moments: he scores the first goal because he can, the second because he wants to. Then he even misses a penalty — he could have had six goals after two matches. It almost makes it seem like one World Cup isn’t enough for him. Zlatan Ibrahimovic joked that Messi has five goals in one World Cup, while he himself has none from two. It’s really that simple,” Klopp reflected with a smile.

A memorable moment on the sidelines

Klopp also spoke fondly of a personal experience during the tournament. Despite his own distinguished career, he described a brief meeting with Messi as truly unforgettable. “It’s remarkable that we get to witness this generation. It’s special. When we saw each other briefly on the sidelines and Messi kindly included us among those greeting him, even at 59, I realised just how special that was. It was a moment to cherish. I was happy to see my former player Alexis Mac Allister too and shared a quick word with him. Then Messi came along, and that was on another level altogether,” he said.

Klopp’s praise for Deniz Undav

Beyond the global icons, Klopp has also been following the German national team closely, particularly striker Deniz Undav. The VfB Stuttgart forward was the hero in Germany’s win over Ivory Coast. “His instinct for goal is exceptional. He knows exactly where to be, his technique is fantastic, and his finishing is top-class. The first goal he scored against Ivory Coast looked simple — just a tap-in from a few metres — but technically, it was brilliant,” Klopp noted.

However, Klopp refrained from suggesting that Undav should automatically start under coach Julian Nagelsmann. “That’s not for me to decide; it’s the coach’s call. And I mean that sincerely. Don’t misunderstand me — it’s entirely the manager’s decision. You can’t really compare him to others. Deniz Undav is his own player, and we’re all thrilled to have him in the team,” Klopp concluded.