"Pogacar is ahead of even Messi" - Liverpool FC head coach compares the two giants of sport

Cycling
Sunday, 23 August 2026 at 06:00
vueltaaespana2026-tadejpogacar-2-6a8825e00ef16
The sports of cycling and football typically don't have a lot in common, besides requiring a great stamina, even though there is the connection of one of the cycling's superstars Remco Evenepoel having switched over from a career of promising footballer to that of a generational cyclist at the age of 16. And as the cycling culture is deep-rooted in Spain, it doesn't come as a complete surprise that Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola is a life-long fan of the sport.

Who can beat Pogacar?

There's no denying that Tadej Pogacar enters the 2026 Vuelta a Espana with only one goal - to win and complete his collection of Grand Tour titles. The competition is nowhere near as fierce as was the case at Tour de France, thus it's the Slovenian's race to lose.
And even from a man who spends much more time analysing football matches than cycling races, it's crystal clear that Pogacar should normally complete his Grand Tour hat-trick in Grenada without significant problems.
"No, I don't see anyone getting close to Pogacar," Iraola told TNT Sports. "I think he's far ahead of everyone else. I would like to see someone like [Primoz] Roglic at the end of his career have a go and try to challenge him. But right now, I don’t see it."

Perhaps not even Messi can match Pogacar's legacy

Pogacar boosts an outstanding Grand Tour record. In 9 participations, he never finished outside the final podium, winning six. His worst result (third place) comes precisely from the Vuelta where, in his 2019 debut, Pogacar lost only to Primoz Roglic in his best level, and veteran Alejandro Valverde.
And when asked who he believes is football's Pogacar, Iraola said only one comes close, and even that might be a stretch.
"For me, I think the closest [comparison to Pogacar] has to be the best one," he said. "Pogacar is the best cyclist I have ever seen so I would say [Lionel] Messi just for the easy comparison. But I think Pogacar is ahead of even Messi probably in terms of difference with the opposition."
claps 0visitors 0
loading

Just in

Popular news

Latest comments

Loading