Virgil Van Dijk deserves Ballon d’Or more than Lionel Messi, proclaims Steven Gerrard

After a sensational season for Virgil Van Dijk and Lionel Messi, both men find themselves on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. However, that has seen a debate run around the world as to which man deserves it more. The Dutch defender enjoyed a sensational 2018/19 season with Liverpool as he helped them win the Champions League and finish one point off title winners Manchester City.

Messi, on the other hand, had an equally fantastic season where he won the La Liga title for the second consecutive season, scoring 51 goals in 50 appearances and created 22 assists. That includes 12 goals in 10 Champions League appearances but a shocking semi-final defeat to Liverpool and a Copa del Rey loss to Valencia has had many questioning Messi’s individual performances.

However, in an interview, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard went on to reveal that he believes Virgil Van Dijk deserves it after a sensational season. The Rangers boss also admitted that while he’s a big fan of Lionel Messi but few people have seasons like the Dutch defender.

"Yes, 100 per cent, I believe Virgil Van Dijk should win. I'm Messi's number one fan, for sure. I love the player. Obscene numbers in his game in terms of assists and goals. I'm definitely a Messi fan, in the gang. But if you talk about consistency from one player over a year, who wins the European Cup and is absolutely faultless in every performance, that means you deserve to win the Ballon d'Or,” said Gerrard to Goal.