After the game, UEFA Man of the Match Van Dijk was quizzed about his prospects of claiming the game’s most prestigious individual award - the Ballon d’Or. Van Dijk said: “I think Messi is the best player in the world and I think he deserves it as long as he plays. Virgil van Dijk deserves the Ballon d'Or, believes KoemanVirgil van Dijk has enjoyed a phenomenal year for LiverpoolLionel Messi is likely to be Virgil van Dijk's main rival for the Ballon d'OrIf there is ever a moment to give the Ballon d’Or to a defender, it is now Ronald Koeman“The Ballon d'Or is not something I am thinking of, but if it happens by any chance then obviously I will take it. But despite the defender’s verdict, Netherlands boss Koeman - who also managed Van Dijk at Southampton - thinks it is actually the Liverpool man who deserves the award. Koeman has coached Virgil van Dijk at club and international levelVirgil van Dijk was a major factor in Liverpool winning the Champions League

Source: Express June 05, 2019 05:18 UTC