Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender should win Ballon dOr ahead of Lionel Messi, says Reds legend John Barnes

Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender should win Ballon dOr ahead of Lionel Messi, says Reds legend John Barnes
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk deserves to win this years Ballon dOr after claiming the Champions League title, according to Anfield legend John Barnes.You would struggle to find another player who has made as much of an impact as the Dutchman has in 18 months at Anfield.GETTY2

Virgil van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders by lifting the European Cup

In future years, Van Dijks 75million arrival in January 2018 may be remembered as the starting point of a new era of success for the Merseyside giants people will talk about BVD (before Van Dijk) and AVD (after Van Dijk).In fact, had the club not signed the centre-back or 67m goalkeeper Alisson, Liverpool probably wouldnt be celebrating their sixth European Cup success both were key in their scrappy final victory over Tottenham in Madrid. PFA Player of the Year Van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders this season, and Barnes believes he would be a worthy winner when the Ballon dOr is awarded later in the year.He is undoubtedly the strongest contender to rival Lionel Messi for the gong.Fans raged last year when World Cup and Champions League winner Luka Modric won the prize ahead of Messi, who finished fifth in the voting despite scoring 45 goals and winning LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles for Barcelona.This season, Messi scored a stunning 51 goals and provided 22 assists in 50 games for Barca, and has been widely tipped to win his SEVENTH Golden Ball.getty2

No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool

But, asked if Van Dijk on course to win the coveted gong, Barnes told talkSPORT: Very possibly.Normally when you look at the Ballon dOr winners, theyre either attacking midfield players or centre-forwards. They are goalscorers and eye-catching players.Liverpool's Champions League heroes Van Dijk and Wijnaldum given standing ovation as they join Holland squad

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But there havent been any of those types of players who have really set the world alight this season.So from a point of consistency and from a point of success, for me Van Dijk would have to be the man.

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last lap The 51-year-old was struck down by illness in October, but plans to be at the John Smith's Stadium for Saturday's clash with Arsenal Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle is recovering after a lengthy battle with pancreatitis, the Premier League club have confirmed.
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Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the final day of Premier League action. All eyes are on the top of the division as a thrilling title race between defending champions Manchester City

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Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has revealed he turned down the chance to join Manchester United during his playing career. Back in his prime, Nedved was widely considered one of the greatest footballers in the world and in 2003, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or ahead of Arsenal's Thierry Henry.
Manchester United news: Juventus legend Pavel Nedved reveals
footballnote.com/manchester-united-news-juventus-legend-pavel-nedved-reveals-he-rejected-chance-to-join-red-devils/
Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has revealed he turned down the chance to join Manchester United during his playing career.. Back in his prime, Nedved was widely considered one of the greatest footballers in the world and in 2003, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or ahead of Arsenal's Thierry Henry.
Pavel Nedved comes out of retirement aged 45 | Daily Mail Online

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Kyle Walker: Manchester City defender deletes tweet poking fun at Liverpool using Harry Maguire World Cup meme The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester with Maguire equalising, 24 hours after
Manchester City defender deletes tweet poking fun at
sportsalert.org/2019/01/31/manchester-city-defender-deletes-tweet-poking-fun-at-liverpool-using-harry-maguire-world-cup-meme/
Manchester City defender deletes tweet poking fun at Liverpool using Harry Maguire World Cup meme. January 31, 2019 by admin 0 Comments
Kyle Walker: Manchester City defender deletes tweet poking

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