Lionel Messi: Virgil Van Dijk believes that Lionel Messi should win the prestigious Ballon D’or award despite winning the Champions league.
Virgil Van Dijk had one of the heroic campaigns for Liverpool, as he stood tall every time to lead the Reds towards the highest European prize.
Many have opined that the Dutch International should be given the Ballon D’or award after his sensational performances throughout the season. The player has already won PFA player of the year award for his exhibits in the Premier league.
However, in an interaction after Liverpool’s victory against Tottenham, Van Dijk in his post-match statement stated that he thinks, he should not win the award, instead Lionel Messi should be awarded.
“I think Messi is the best player in the world,” Van Dijk said after Saturday’s win. “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.” he further said.
Despite keeping Messi silent in the 2nd leg of the Semi-final against Barcelona, Van Dijk has not change his opinions on the abilities of the Argentine International.
On the other, the Barcelona forward also had a phenomenal season individually, as he became the top-scorer of Europe this season once again and lifted La Liga trophy.
However, things went downhill for Lionel Messi as his side lost to Liverpool on aggregate by 4-3, even though they had a significant lead of 3-0 in the first leg.
Thus, realistically it seems that Van Dijk is much stronger contender to win the prestigious individual award ahead of the other football players in contention.
How twitter reacted
https://twitter.com/LeooMessi10i/status/1134968582067109888
https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1134952938516963330
https://twitter.com/bet365/status/1134941402985566208
Messi FC riling up their finest collective propaganda to retain Messi as winner to the balon d’Or instead of Van Dijk. Just to then have VVD himself produce some of the greatest propaganda himself bagging it fo Messi certainly. Poetic.
— copywrong (@dphdofficial) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheMasterBucks/status/1134928914130726912
Messi is the best player in the world. But @VirgilvDijk should be a very serious candidate for the Ballon D'Or.@ViasportFotball pic.twitter.com/GHCIOsBW2a
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) June 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/beINSPORTSUSA/status/1134983019876540417
In The World Of Messi and Ronaldo
Be Someone's Van Dijk❤ pic.twitter.com/2WGQ4TLneF— Ujwal Nayak (@ChalBeta_PatPat) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Iam_Benjani/status/1134943219677061120
Liverpool winning but Messi losing Ballon d'or to Van Dijk pic.twitter.com/NZkVhVdKUh
— S (@NumeroSie7e) June 1, 2019
What’s next?
Liverpool have ended their campaign with the highest prize possible. Further, the Reds will prepare for next season while making suitable signings during the transfer window.
