Why Van Dijk Should Have Won Ballon d’Or – Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk deserves to win the 2019 Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi.

Naija News reports that Messi beat the Liverpool defender and close rival Cristiano Ronaldo to land the award for the sixth time.

Despite playing a crucial role as Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League last season, Dijk finished second.

Speaking on the award, Jurgen Klopp said he understands why Lionel Messi lifted it for the sixth time.

“I see it slightly different and a lot of people see it slightly different but that’s absolutely no problem,” said Klopp.

“Lionel Messi, I’ve said probably 500 000 times in my life already, is probably the best player I saw in my lifetime.

“But I cannot remember a more impressive season from a defender ever. Honestly. So it would have been right if Virg won it. I heard it was pretty close.”