Virgil van Dijk insists Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d Or despite his own star turn in a victorious Champions League final for Liverpool.
Centre-back Van Dijk was named man of the match as Jurgen Klopp s side claimed the trophy with a 2-0 win over Tottenham at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Liverpool went ahead inside two minutes through a Mohamed Salah penalty and were grateful to Van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson for keeping Spurs at bay before Divock Origi sealed the win with a late second.
Van Dijk won the PFA Players Player of the Year for his performances in the Premier League in 2018-19 and is likely to be among the favourites for the next Ballon d Or after his display on Saturday.
However, the Netherlands international said there should only be one candidate.
0 No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool. Rock.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
I think Messi is the best player in the world, he told reporters. He deserves it as long as he plays, so the Ballon d Or is not something I m thinking of. If it happens obviously I would take it, but I don t think there is any [chance].
He is still the best player in the world. It doesn t matter if he s not in the Champions League final.
Alisson made some impressive stops in the second half to help Liverpool to glory, a year after they were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in a final in which Loris Karius took the blame for some costly errors.
Van Dijk, though, does not think a change in goalkeeper was key to their success this time.
It s not the main difference, he said. Football is not about one player. We win together, we lose together.
Ali was there to save us from a couple of shots from Son [Heung-min] and everyone was trying to do their bit for the team.
In the second half we were a bit sitting back, they put pressure on us, looked a bit dangerous it happens in games. But we prepared for it, you know there are moments in games where you re going to have difficulties.
