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Van Dijk can become first defender to win Ballon d’Or since Cannavaro, says Babel

Virgil van Dijk is capable of becoming the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro to win the Ballon d’Or, claims Netherlands international team-mate Ryan Babel.

The Liverpool centre-half has just completed a memorable 2018-19 campaign.

He ended on a low, with a Nations League final defeat to Portugal, but can reflect fondly on the season just gone.

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Van Dijk helped Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title, pushing Manchester City all the way, before landing Champions League glory in Madrid.

The 27-year-old then captained his country to a major final and is considered to have taken his game to even greater heights on the back of a record-breaking £75 million ($95m) move to Anfield in January 2018.