Lionel Messi would clearly be the most deserving winner of the Ballon d’Or despite Virgil van Dijk’s outstanding year, according to Barcelona team-mate Frenkie de Jong.
Liverpool center-back Van Dijk was long considered the favourite for the prestigious individual honour having helped the Reds to Champions League glory last season.
Van Dijk has also impressed this term as Liverpool – agonizingly pipped to the 2018-19 Premier League title by Manchester City – have surged eight points clear at the summit.
However, Mundo Deportivo claimed on Tuesday that Messi has been told he has won the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time, meaning he will have edged out Van Dijk again having scooped FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player prize.
De Jong says there is no doubt Messi deserves the recognition.
“For me, I said it a lot but Messi is the best player in the world so he has to win it,” he said.
“Van Dijk had an amazing season, he is a great defender and one of the best players in the world.
“But Messi is above and he is by far the best.”
De Jong completed his move to Camp Nou from Ajax in July and has been a standout performer in a Barca side who have failed to convince despite sitting top of LaLiga and Champions League Group F. – Goal.com
