Jurgen Klopp has explained that Virgil van Dijk deserves the Ballon d’Or, as it is an award for the best player over a calendar year – and not simply for the best player on the planet.
Rightly, Liverpool’s manager explained how Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of his generation, but that van Dijk enjoyed the better season on a purely individual basis.
The Dutchman helped Liverpool win the Champions League and was practically flawless throughout the entirety of 2018/19.
You can listen to Klopp’s words in the video below, courtesy of William Hill:
"If you give the Ballon d'Or to the best player of this generation then you should give it always to Lionel Messi.
"But if you give it to the best player of last season, then it was Virgil van Dijk.'' 👏pic.twitter.com/4LDgWroiiI
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) November 25, 2019