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The Slovenian international is a key presence within Diego Simeone’s team and the Argentine superstar says it is a pleasure to match ingenuity with him.
Lionel Messi has praised Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, calling him “one of the best goalkeepers in the world” and admitting that he enjoys the challenge of trying to overcome him.
The Slovenian international, who joined Diego Simeone’s team from Benfica in 2014, has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in football in recent years and continues to be a key player for Los Rojiblancos.
Earlier this year, he became the goalkeeper to achieve a century of clean sheets in La Liga with the fewest number of matches, surpassing Miguel Reina’s previous record of 222 by a whopping 40 matches.
He has also picked up where he left off earlier this period, having held up goals in nine of his 13 top flight matches this season, to help establish Atlético as a true title contender against rivals and current champions, Real Madrid.
He has conceded the fewest goals in the league, just five, while only three goalkeepers have made more than his 39 saves.
That gives him a save percentage of 88.1 percent, comfortably ahead of Yassine Bounou in second place, Sevilla’s stopper saving just 80 percent of the shots he’s faced.
Oblak made four saves when Atleti edged Barça 1-0 last month, and Messi couldn’t find his way on that occasion, and the Slovenian’s form has earned applause from the Argentine, who unequivocally praised him as an opponent. to the best. .
“It’s nice to face each other,” said the 33-year-old. Soccer Bud . “He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now, and it’s always good to fight the best.
“It is an extra motivation to be able, or to try, to score a goal, with what it means and how difficult it is, as shown in every game he plays.
“So it’s good to see him outside but also to face him in games. It makes them more exciting.”
Barça are next in action against Eibar on Tuesday, while Simeone’s men face Getafe a day later.
