Liverpool fans have been giving their thoughts on Twitter after Lionel Messi pipped Virgil van Dijk to the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award on Monday night.
The undeniably majestic Messi fired Barcelona to the La Liga title, but Van Dijk’s crucial role in the Reds’ 97-point domestic campaign and Champions League success seemed to give him the edge.
However, it was the Argentine icon who won out on this occasion, setting up a last intriguing battle for the Ballon D’Or later this year, with Van Dijk having previously won UEFA Player of the Season.
Some Reds didn’t begrudge Messi, arguably the greatest of all time, the award, while others protested that Van Dijk was deserving or stepped back to look at the bigger picture.
Here’s a pick of the reactions:
Virgil van Dijk is absolutely incredible but don’t think #LFC fans will have any complaints about him losing out to Lionel Messi after having the privilege of seeing him up close twice last season. Just the 51 goals in 50 appearances in 18/19; the best ever, in my opinion.
— David Lynch (@dmlynch) September 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/FalseFMatt/status/1176227675813425153
Can handle Van Dijk losing out to Messi, because he's best ever.
Has probably still been the best player over the last year, but considering awards seem to be given for team success these days, VVD was robbed.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) September 23, 2019
Don’t know what else Virgil van Dijk can do to win that award. Is it an award of the best player in the calendar year? Because that’s Van Dijk – EASILY. Is it an award for who the best player currently in existence is? Because Messi should win it every year then.
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) September 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/EnRouteAnfield/status/1176225703102222337
Ronaldo voting for De Ligt as his first choice for Best FIFA Men's Player and not even having Messi or Van Dijk in his top three makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing, really.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) September 23, 2019
Virgil van Dijk received 153 first-place votes for FIFA Player of the Year.
In the previous three seasons, defenders had earned a combined 125 votes (first, second, and third)
Notoriously difficult award for defenders, but he voters take notice.
— El Mans (@el_mansfield) September 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/SamueILFC/status/1176225782357798914
Give Van Dijk the Ballon d'Or and we’ll forget tonight ever happened @FIFAcom
— – (@AnfieldRd96) September 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/DaveOCKOP/status/1176287867661770753