Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk believes that Lionel Messi remains a worthier candidate for the 2019 Ballon d'Or gong - while admitting he would not turn down the award following his Champions League heroics.
The Netherlands defender has been a rock in the heart of the Liverpool side since signing in January 2018, transforming a notoriously leaky backline into the Premier League's most formidable unit.
That form has also carried over into Europe, where Liverpool kept six clean sheets on the way to their 2-0 victory over Tottenham in Saturday's Champions League final.