The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2019: 3 reasons why Virgil van Dijk deserves the award over Messi and Ronaldo

The debate over who deserves to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2019 has already started on the streets and on social media, following the announcement of the nominees. Ten players have been nominated, but only one player can lay his hands on the prestigious award.

So far, the top contenders, according to many football fans and pundits, are Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. The three players were in great form throughout last season and are rightly ahead of the other contenders at the moment.

However, there are many reasons why van Dijk deserves this year’s award over his more celebrated competitors.

The 27-year-old centre-back has been key to Liverpool’s revival and played an instrumental role as the club won the UEFA Champions League last season.

Below are three concrete reasons why van Dijk deserves to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2019, ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.

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#3 Champions League triumph

Van Dijk won the Champions League with Liverpool last season

Although van Dijk, Ronaldo, and Messi each ended the season with a club trophy, there is no doubt that the Liverpool defender won the biggest trophy. The Dutchman’s role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph cannot be overstated. Van Dijk was Liverpool’s commander-in-chief at the back and led by example.

One could argue that everything Ronaldo and Messi achieved achieved in attack, van Dijk achieved twice as much in defence. He was an assured presence throughout the season, made his teammates better, and above all, won Europe’s biggest trophy on offer.

Very often, people tend to favour forwards due to the glam that comes with goals, but a defender who has distinguished himself like van Dijk equally deserves a look in. And, based on consistency, he should be ahead of Ronaldo and Messi in the race for the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2019, despite the goal stats that his two competitors boast of.

#2 His defensive record matches the attacking exploits of Messi and Ronaldo

Van Dijk was in imperious form throughout last season and barely put a foot wrong

This may sound a bit controversial, but van Dijk actually bested every player in the cause of the year, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Barcelona star enjoyed a wonderful season, scoring 51 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, while Ronaldo managed 28 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

However, both still fall short of the kind of flawless year van Dijk has had. As a defender, the Netherlands captain cannot be judged on goals, but by how well he marshalled Liverpool’s back-line.

The former Southampton star made 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring or assisting a combined 10 goals, and also helped Liverpool keep 23 clean sheets. He reads the game well, starts attacks from the back and also commands the entire Liverpool back-line when it comes to positioning. He was also dribbled past only once in the entire season, by Leroy Sane.

No defender has won the Best FIFA Men’s Player since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, but Van Dijk has done enough this year to deserve the award.

#1 The precedent set last year favours van Dijk

Van Dijk could follow Luka Modric's footsteps in winning the Best FIFA Men’s Player

There was a lot of talk when Luka Modric beat Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player last year. It was a bit weird, but it wasn’t surprising- weird because the world has grown accustomed to seeing either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo win the award, and not surprising because for the first time in a long while, another player actually put himself in line to win the Ballon d’Or.

Last year’s occurrence only goes to prove that van Dijk can also win it. If Modric could beat Ronaldo and Messi to it, then the Dutchman can also repeat the feat.

The precedent doesn’t make it a given, but the Liverpool star has earned it, just like Modric. With both superstars having dominated every individual award over the last decade, it is only fair to award it to any third player who stands up to the duo. So far, van Dijk has stood up to Messi and Ronaldo, and therefore deserves this year’s Best FIFA Men’s Player.