Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been named UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2018/19.
The Dutch international beat off competition from three-time UEFA Men's Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and two-time winner Lionel Messi. The 28-year-old centre-back received the trophy on stage in Monaco during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.
The top ten
1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool & Netherlands) – 305 points
2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 207 points
3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus & Portugal) – 74 points
5 Sadio Mané (Liverpool & Senegal) – 51 points
6 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt) – 49 points
7 Eden Hazard (Chelsea/Real Madrid & Belgium) – 38 points
8= Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax/Juventus & Netherlands) – 27 points
8= Frenkie de Jong (Ajax/Barcelona & Netherlands) – 27 points
10 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City & England) – 12 points
Why did Van Dijk win the vote?
Following Liverpool's 2018 final defeat by Real Madrid, Van Dijk had every reason for nerves ahead of the 2019 decider, but his concentration did not waver. He shut out the opposition and was named man of the match as his side edged out Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.
Fearless since arriving from Southampton in January 2018, Van Dijk kept more clean sheets than any defender in Europe's top five leagues in 2018/19. While Liverpool fell narrowly short in the Premier League, his solid presence (and occasional goalscoring efforts) provided the platform for a sixth European Cup.
Season in numbers
Honours: UEFA Champions League winner, UEFA Nations League runner-up, English Premier League runner-up, PFA Players' Player of the Year.
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 12
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Domestic league
Appearances: 38
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
I can't believe the effect that he has had on them since the beginning of 2018. They were celebrating a draw with West Brom in the beginning of 2017-2018, but now, with the abuse that I get from my liverpool supporting friends on a daily basis, if they ever win the PL, I might have go underground.Greatest player ever lived in any sport if we go by personal awards.
It amazes me that Fergie bought Big Pete for 500K and Vidic for 5M. They repaid that investment many times over. We just don't seem to buy players of that ilk for relatively low prices anymore. We bought Maguire for 80M, and he looks like a tier or 2 below peak Vidic.He's obviously very very good, but he has a long way to go to prove he's as good as some make out. I think he can do it mind.
In terms of the accolade and no doubt the one to come, he's lucky outfield players are ageing and top top quality is sparse.
I'd say top 10 CBs in the PL, but not best defender ever.https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2618573.html
So, is he the best defender ever to have played in the premier league? Going by personal awards alone, he must be up there right?
You can argue Beckham in 1999 deserved it was well.@Cait Sith - Sneijder in 2010 was certainly worthy
£75m for VVD at the time looked crazy, hence the lack of interest...Still annoys me how easily Liverpool got Van Dijk. Seemed to be basically unopposed, especially after they had already fecked Southampton off with a previous pursuit. All the top teams in Europe should have been in a bidding war
Maybe it was just me, but I didnt really flinch at that price. Always thought he was absolutely brilliant£75m for VVD at the time looked crazy, hence the lack of interest...
I think the 4-0 took all awards from Messi.Better than a 51 goal 19 assist in 50 games player last season? No chance.
Messi is a victim of his own success. If him and Ronaldo only starting playing football this season and put out them numbers they would have won it.
People are clearly bored and just want to see other people win it.
Play Matip with Matip? sounds like an idea...Of course he is very good but the narrative around him turning Liverpool's entire fortunes around is insane. His signing simply coincided with the collective reaching its prime under Klopp. At this moment they can substitute him for Matip and they will continue to dominate just like they put on Origi and Shakiri instead of Mané and Firmino and trashed Barca 4-0 regardless.
Short termism at it's finest.So, is he the best defender ever to have played in the premier league? Going by personal awards alone, he must be up there right?
1 game shouldn’t decide an award. You can’t just discredit being involved in 70 goals in 50 games because of 1 bad game.I think the 4-0 took all awards from Messi.
Rivaldo in 99 was a level above Becks. Nothing Becks did could touch Rivaldos sensational Copa (topscored with 5 and was also voted player of the tournament, ahead of a certain also brilliant Ronaldo). Compare their performances when they met in the group stages of the CL, Rivaldo was majestic.You can argue Beckham in 1999 deserved it was well.
It was their biggest game of the season and they made a mess of it while he was on the pitch. Maybe had he saved one of those goal contributions for that game it would have been different.1 game shouldn’t decide an award. You can’t just discredit being involved in 70 goals in 50 games because of 1 bad game.
It’s an individual award, Barcelona had 11 players on the pitch not just one. The award is a joke these days.It was their biggest game of the season and they made a mess of it while he was on the pitch. Maybe had he saved one of those goal contributions for that game it would have been different.
He'd already set up the foundations for what should have been a comfortable formality in the 2nd leg with his 2 goals in the first leg.It was their biggest game of the season and they made a mess of it while he was on the pitch. Maybe had he saved one of those goal contributions for that game it would have been different.
Chances get missed, its the nature of the sport. Had Pool taken finishing seriously that was never a 3 - 0.He'd already set up the foundations for what should have been a comfortable formality in the 2nd leg with his 2 goals in the first leg.
Maybe if he'd missed the match through injury or suspension, he'd be winning the individual awards?
No show at Anfield against the eventual winner of the award in the most important game of the season plus a no show again in the Copa sealed his fate. What he did against Europa level sides like United and Lyon isn't taken all that seriously anymore.Great player who has had a great season but these awards are just meaningless. However good he's been, how can any player in the world win this award other than Messi?
Top scorer and assists in Liga, Top scorer in all of Europe, Top scorer in the Champions League, top scorer in the knockouts? 2 goals against United, 2 goals against Liverpool, 2 goals against Lyon and maximum MOTM awards in the CL. He's performed brilliantly in both the League and the CL.
Messi was poor at Anfield and Van Dijk was poor at Nou Camp. Just because Messi's teammates (whom he set up multiple times over 2 legs) couldn't finish their chances and his team defended like schoolboys, Messi suddenly isn't the best player? I'm sure VVD will win the Ballandor as well but there's just no way Messi hasn't been the best player in the world this year.
........he is insane. Who would you put infront of him? Speed, strength, aerial ability and a Football brain....one of a kind. Could become the best defender to play the game.I'd say top 10 CBs in the PL, but not best defender ever.
He was just as inept as the rest of them that game.It’s an individual award, Barcelona had 11 players on the pitch not just one. The award is a joke these days.
And rightly should. Much deserved then Modric last year IMO.Will win the Ballon D'or as well
