Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz has paid tribute to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, describing the Dutch centre-back as “the best defender in the world right now.” Speaking to the Premier League, Muniz reflected on his proudest moments in a Fulham shirt and admitted that scoring against Van Dijk made one particular goal extra special.
Muniz, who joined Fulham from Flamengo in 2021, has become a cult hero at Craven Cottage. His 27 goals in 104 appearances include memorable strikes against Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as the winner at Stamford Bridge that sealed Fulham’s first away victory over their West London rivals since 1979.
But when asked about his favourite, the 24-year-old put his Stamford Bridge goal first and his strike against Liverpool second — not least because of the quality of opponent.
Muniz on Van Dijk and Fulham’s video advice
Muniz explained why finding the net against Liverpool stood out:
“Yeah, Van Dijk is the best defender in the world right now, in the Premier League, he’s really good. So I was happy with this goal.” — Rodrigo Muniz, Premier League interview
He revealed that advice from Fulham’s video analysis team helped him prepare for the challenge:
“We have a guy who works here on the videos. He says every training session, ‘Rodrigo, you need to use more your body to be out of the defender’. After this goal I said I’ve done it!”
That strength and composure allowed him to hold off Van Dijk before finishing low into the corner, sealing a famous result for Fulham against the champions.
Muniz on Premier League Brazilians
The striker also spoke warmly about his Brazilian peers in England. Unsurprisingly, he named former teammate Willian as his favourite, but also praised Chelsea’s Thiago Silva and Joao Pedro, as well as Newcastle’s Joelinton.
“Willian because I played with him, Thiago Silva because he’s really proficient and a good guy. Joao Pedro is a good friend of mine, and Joelinton is a nice guy. Brazilians are friendly,” he explained.
Rodrigo Muniz stats 2025/26
| Stat (2025/26) | Rodrigo Muniz |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 5 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
source: sofascore match data – 25 September 2025
Muniz is off the mark this season with a late equaliser at Brighton and continues to provide a physical presence up front, linking well with Fulham’s attack.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Muniz’s recognition of Van Dijk is telling:
“Strikers know when they’ve faced the very best, and Muniz putting Van Dijk at the top of his list shows the Dutchman remains elite. For Muniz, moments like his Liverpool goal prove he can compete with the toughest defenders in the league. With consistent output, he could evolve from cult hero to central figure for Fulham.”
He added: “Muniz’s development also shows how vital Fulham’s support staff are in shaping his growth. Video analysis and tactical preparation are increasingly crucial at this level.”
Key Insights
- Rodrigo Muniz says Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world.
- Named his goal against Liverpool second only to his winner at Chelsea.
- Credits Fulham’s video staff for advice on using his body more effectively.
- Praised fellow Brazilians Willian, Thiago Silva, Joao Pedro and Joelinton.
- Has 1 goal and 1 assist in 5 Premier League games this season.
What’s Next for Muniz and Fulham?
Fulham’s early-season form has been steady, and Muniz’s contributions will be key as Marco Silva looks to push the team into mid-table security once again. With five games already under his belt, the striker will aim to build on his tally and prove he can deliver consistently against the Premier League’s elite.
As for Van Dijk, the Liverpool captain continues to command respect across the league. Muniz’s praise only underlines how highly he is regarded, even among those who have managed to score against him.
👉 Do you agree with Rodrigo Muniz — is Virgil van Dijk still the best defender in the world?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 26 Sep 2025 06:23
Right now, yes? But never be the best in the PL, there;s Vidic and John Terry
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