'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Virgil van Dijk
It is rare to see defenders challenging for top football awards nowadays but it appears Liverpool center-back, Virgil van Dijk just won't leave the spotlight. The Dutchman deserves some praise for scaring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the battle for major awards last season and even managing to beat the iconic duo to the UEFA Best Player award.
Trending
He is not slowing down. He has returned with amazing performances this season, showing his class from the heart of the defense as Liverpool keep their eyes on making history in the Premier League. The Reds have conceded just 15 goals in the English top flight so far and they have van Dijk to thank for providing solidity at the back and raising the level of his co-defenders.
With Liverpool already having the look of champions in the Premier League and the Dutchman playing a pivotal role in the team's charge for success, he surely has a good chance to claim the Ballon d'Or this season. If they can manage to defend the Champions League, that chance would increase drastically.
