The Best FIFA Football Player Award 2019: UEFA Men’s Player Virgil Van Dijk should once again beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for this award.
After UEFA, FIFA are set to hand over the award to the Best Men’s player of the year. The gala which is bound to be held in Milan on Monday night will attract millions of fans, who are already on their heels to find out the winner.
Since International football federation weighs more than European football federation, this award is considered to be the best individual award only second to the Ballon d’Or. FIFA have already shortlisted three candidates for this award, namely Virgil Van Dijk, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk defeated the duo to clinch the UEFA Men’s Player of the year a month before. The Dutchman is also tipped to land this award on Monday night in Milan. The 28-year-old’s individual performances and collective achievements have enabled the public to change their attentions from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He could win the award once again today. As Virgil Van Dijk walks into yet another podium, we shall look at three reasons why he should win the FIFA Men’s player of the year.
#1 Indisputable standout player for Liverpool and the Netherlands
Liverpool’s backline was a calamity before Virgil Van Dijk signed in January 2018. The Reds were continuously leaking goals prior to his arrival – meaning that only a heavy reinforcement would solve the conundrum for Jurgen Klopp.
Virgil Van Dijk has taken over the responsibility to make them as the best defensive line in the Premier League and one of the best in the European leagues. The Dutch International won the Man of the Match award for his phenomenal display against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final. His partnership with Alisson Becker and rest defenders have been inch-perfection apart from moments of wonders from the opponents.
As for the Netherlands, Virgil Van Dijk has also done the same amount of work under Ronald Koeman. He took over the captain’s armband two months after signing for Liverpool. He the guide for the young Matthijs De Ligt, who is still in the learning process at the age of 19. Compared to Liverpool, the Dutch do not have a world-class defence, but Virgil Van Dijk has steadied the ship.
#2 Tag of the Best Player in Europe and England
Virgil Van Dijk was not only the best player for Liverpool but also outperformed the rest in the Premier League to lift the PFA Player of the Year. There were lots of talks about Raheem Sterling, although the Liverpool defender looked unshaken for this award.
The 28-year-old has started on from where to left off last season – kicking off on a high note. The Reds have kept one clean sheet in all competitions this season, meanwhile, they have conceded the least in the Premier League. This is no misinterpretation as Liverpool’s defence got exploited by the intelligence of the opponent or blame the bad luck at the same time.
The odds on Lionel Messi lifting the UEFA Men’s player of the year was high, but Virgil Van Dijk pipped him to this award. He didn’t just pip to the award but lifted the trophy by 100 points, a mammoth gap between the top two. It’s an indication that Virgil Van Dijk could be the front-runner for this award too.
#3 Achievements with his club and country
Virgil Van Dijk is in the pinnacle of his career – having lifted the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year last month. The Dutchman won this award because of the Champions League triumph with Liverpool and Nations League final appearance with the Netherlands.
Due to his presence, Liverpool conceded the least in the Premier League and have conceded the least in the Premier League this season. As for the Champions League triumph, the Reds had to qualify for the Champions League knockout despite consisting the likes of Napoli and Paris Saint Germain. They beat Bayern Munich, Porto and Barcelona before rounding off a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronald Koeman’s side had to overcome England and Germany before eventually facing defeat in the hands of Portugal in the Nations League final. It was a compelling contest in the final before losing out to Goncalo Guedes goal in the second half. For his achievements with his club and country, he could pip Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to this award.
