From the moment he arrived, Szoboszlai has resonated with supporters. From picking Steven Gerrard’s number to revealing he has a quote from the former Liverpool captain tattooed on his arm, he has very much become a cult favorite.
On the pitch, he’s been up there with the best performers for Liverpool this season. He’s been creating chances and contributing a lot with his constant running in and out of possession and his pressing game. Back home in Hungary, Szoboszlai’s status has catapulted to an all-time high. As the captain of his nation and one of the best players to have emerged from Hungary in the 21st century, he has become an idol and an icon to many from the streets of Budapest to his home city of Székesfehérvár.
Recently, one of Hungary’s last legendary coaches, György Mezey — the last person to help the nation qualify for the World Cup back in 1986 — was asked about Szoboszlai by Index. In the interview, Mezey raised an interesting remark about what Szoboszlai’s future could entail.
“If Dominik were to leave Liverpool, I could only imagine him at Real Madrid. Where Ferenc Puskás was once the star. If Szoboszlai were to sign there, the circle would be closed,” Mezey said. It’s an interesting remark because Szoboszlai and his agent have made it clear they see Liverpool as the final destination. However, the lure of Real Madrid as one of the biggest clubs in world football is one that often proves impossible to resist.
Many Liverpool players will attest to that, with the path to the Spanish giants well-trodden from Anfield. The likes of Steve MacManaman, Michael Owen, Xabi Alonso, Jerzy Dudek and Álvaro Arbeloa, who were all admired by Liverpool supporters, left to move to the Spanish capital, so could Szoboszlai be next?
Dominik Szoboszlai has been tipped to join Real Madrid. Speaking to Goal in the past, Szoboszlai had described his style as most similar to Kroos. Speaking to RB Leipzig’s official YouTube account, Szoboszlai also described Modrić as his toughest opponent.
“Modrić. He was — when we played against Real Madrid — simply everywhere on the pitch. If I turned to the left, he was there. If I went to the right, he was there. If I tried to go forward, he was one step ahead of me. When I turned around, he was already behind me. So yeah, that’s why I’d say him,” Szoboszlai said.
And of course, in the same interview by Goal, Szoboszlai also named Cristiano Ronaldo as his childhood idol. “Cristiano Ronaldo impressed me always a lot with his work ethic,” he noted. “He is definitely one of the biggest players and personalities of the game ever. But I try to go on my own way and I hope that one day I can become such an idol for children like he is.”
Based on his remarks, it’s clear Szoboszlai has a great admiration for former Real Madrid legends. With Ferenc Puskás being such a legendary figure at Real Madrid as well and so revered back home in Hungary, the allure of following in his footsteps, should the opportunity arise, may be tempting. But that’s all in the future, and very much merely a hypothetical scenario. For now it’s clear Szoboszlai is only concentrating on Liverpool, and nothing else.
Ever since arriving at Anfield, Dominik Szoboszlai has won the supporters’ hearts over. From his desire to his work ethic and confidence, he has given Liverpool a new dimension and has very much become one of the new faces of Jürgen Klopp’s 2.0 rebuild.
It’s a possibility. The likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić are not getting older at Real Madrid and, in a few years’ time, the Spanish club may think about replacing them and bringing in another midfielder to play alongside Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
