Virgil van Dijk admits winning the Ballon d'Or would be a dream come true after an exceptional season with Liverpool and the Netherlands.
No defender has claimed the award since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, the year he lifted the World Cup with Italy, but centre-back Van Dijk is a strong contender to break the drought.
The 28-year-old shone as Liverpool won the Champions League last season and was crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year for his part in helping the Reds finish second in the Premier League.
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Already a revered figure at Anfield, Van Dijk could become only the club's second Ballon d'Or recipient after Michael Owen in 2001.