Virgil van Dijk has emerged as the current favourite for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, according to bookmakers‘.
The Dutch defender has had a colossal year for Liverpool, helping guide the club to Champions League glory while also breaking domestic club records.
Despite this though, Van Dijk still believes that Lionel Messi should collect the gong, even if Barcelona fell victim to the Reds on their pursuit of Champions League success.
Speaking before the Champions League final in Madrid, Van Dijk said:
I think Lionel Messi is the best player in the world. He should win the Ballon d’Or.
So I’m not thinking of that. But if I win, I’ll take it. Messi should win it though. He is the best in the world, whether he’s in the final or not.
However, Oddschecker currently make the former Celtic and Southampton man 8/11 favourites to pick up the award, with Messi behind him at 6/
Bookmakers then make Van Dijk’s Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who are both at 20/1.
