Messi is the hardest player to mark — Real Madrid star confesses

Valverde has had the tough task of slowing Lionel Messi down on 12 occasions for both club and country. 

The Real Madrid man has come out on top in four of those meetings. ending up on the losing side 6 times.

Speaking to MadridXtra (via Sportskeeda), Valverde was asked which player has caused him the most problems and his response was swift. "Messi"

Messi will go down as arguably the greatest to ever play the game and his career numbers are staggering. 

The legendary forward has scored 721 goals and provided 344 assists in 888 club games, as well as being Argentina's all-time top goalscorer with 106 goals and 56 assists in 178 caps.