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#3 Big-match player
It is quite strange that he has acquired this quality in such a short amount of time. Van Dijk played for Southampton just a little over a year-and-a-half ago and now, he is among the best big-match defenders.
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Sure, he lost to Madrid in the last Champions League but what about the way he way performed in the lead-up to that match? Even if we forget that, his performances this season in the big games – save the one against Barca at Camp Nou – have been exceptional.
#2 CL winner
Over the past few years, the best player of a Champions League-winning team is usually the one that won the award. Even last year, which was a World Cup year, the preference was given to Luka Modric as he led Real Madrid to an unprecedented three-peat.
Even though Griezmann won the World Cup and the Europa League last season, he wasn't given the award. This year, Liverpool have won the Champions League and Van Dijk’s presence helped them do so.
