Ballon d'Or Power Ranking: December 2019

2. Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool FC - Premier League

Since sealing a world-record move to Liverpool in January 2018, Virgil van Dijk has not only been one of the most dominant defenders in world football, he has established himself as an indispensable member for club and country.

Known for his positional sense and nonchalance on the ball, the Dutchman produced one of the greatest individual seasons by a defender in the Premier League era and was rewarded for his consistent displays, as he became the first defender since John Terry in 2005 to pick up the PFA Player of the Year award last season.

The 28-year-old capped off a sensational season by spearheading Liverpool to their sixth European Cup, as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final and the fact that he was named Man of the Match in the final was the icing on the cake.

Added to the fact that he was the mainstay of the Liverpool side that registered 21 clean sheets, no player in the English top-flight managed to dribble past the Dutchman domestically, a stat that is enhanced by the fact that some of the most potent attackers in world football are currently plying their trade in the Premier League.

Under his leadership, the Netherlands are a force to be reckoned with once again and came within a goal of winning the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League, as Ronald Koeman's side lost out to Portugal in the final.

Van Dijk has won numerous personal accolades this season but his crowning moment came when he pipped Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award, a startling example of how much he's developed since his £75 million switch from Southampton. Although Messi is widely tipped to be the frontrunner for the award, the Dutchman could become the first player since Fabio Cannavo in 2006 to win the Ballon d'Or.