Van Dijk pips Messi, Ronaldo for UEFA Player of the Year award
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was named the 2018-19 UEFA Men's Player of the Year on Thursday.
๐ @VirgilvDijk ๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/f85dWlNPMS
โ #UCLdraw (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2019
The Dutch star, who anchored the Reds en route to last season's Champions League title, beat out perennial contenders Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the honor. After combining to capture the award in four straight seasons, the iconic attackers have now been shut out in consecutive years, as Van Dijk's triumph follows that of Luka Modric in 2017-18.
"He embodies the full picture of a defender: his radiance, the way he captains the group, his presence on the pitch," Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman said of the 28-year-old. "He can be an example to anyone who wants to aspire to be the best."
Van Dijk can now add this latest piece of individual silverware to an ever-growing collection. The towering center-back was named PFA Player of the Year back in April for last season's Premier League exploits.