Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed why Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi deserves to win 2019 Ballon d’Or despite La Liga Champions did not make the final.
The 27-year-old Netherlands defender has been a rock in the heart of the Reds defence side since moving to Anfield in January 2018 and helping Premier League runner-up to win their sixth European Cup on Saturday by beating Tottenham 2-0 in the final at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Already named the PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season in England this season, Van Dijk now has a real chance to become the first defender to pick up the Ballon d’Or since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.Former Celtic and Southampton star told the press conference saying:
“I think Messi is the best player in the world. He should win the Ballon d’Or,””So I’m not thinking of that. But if I win, I’ll take it.
Messi should win it though. He is the best in the world, whether he’s in the final or not.”Barcelona’s Champions League campaign ended in disastrous style against eventual winners Liverpool in the semi-final but Messi still finished the season as the top scorer in the competition with 12 goals ahead of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski on eight.