---
title: "Casillas talks up Van Dijk’s Ballon d’Or chances"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/casillas-talks-up-van-dijks-ballon-dor-chances/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-11-19T12:30:31Z"
modified: "2019-11-19T12:30:31Z"
---

# Casillas talks up Van Dijk’s Ballon d’Or chances

Iker Casillas believes Virgil van Dijk is one of only two players who merits winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

The Dutchman has been a colossus at the heart of Liverpool’s defence over the past 12 months, inspiring them to a Champions League triumph.

Many regard Van Dijk as the world’s premier centre-back and he remains the Reds’ most important player.

The 28-year-old is the favourite to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or next month – if he does, he would become the first defender to take home the prize since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/IkerCasillas/status/1195337885874085893?s=20) to air his thoughts, goalkeeping legend Casillas claimed it should be a straight fight between Van Dijk and Lionel Messi, with Cristiano Ronaldo not worthy of glory:

> Van Dijk was the best player for UEFA, Messi was the best for FIFA. Imagine if Cristiano wins the Ballon d’Or? It would seem to me that the guidelines we follow in football to give prizes do not have much logic.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

Van Dijk is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or, and rightly so.

It could be argued that no defender in recent history has put together such an imperious 12 months of football.

Pound-for-pound, Messi is the best player in the world, and quite possibly of all time, but this should be Van Dijk’s year.