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With the 2018/19 season coming to an end, all the talks would be about who was the best player this season. It looks like this time two players are in the hunt for the Ballon d’Or and both of them have had an excellent campaign with their teams. Messi is having one the best seasons of his glorious career while Van Dijk has taken defending to a whole new level.
Messi has been an unstoppable force in front of the goal but so has Van Dijk at the back. Not a single player has dribbled past him the whole season!
It would hardly be surprising if Messi goes on to win his 6th Ballon d'Or this season but Van Dijk's performance can’t be ignored. Here are the three reasons which may elevate Van Dijk’s chances of winning the award this season and become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro to win the award after 12 years:
#1 He has been consistent throughout the season for club and country
In the 59 matches that Van Dijk has played for both club and country this term, hardly have there been any matches in which we could say that he wasn’t up to par. Such consistent has the Dutchman been throughout the season.
He has featured in all the Premier League games for Liverpool and his performances have earned him the PFA player of the season award. In all these matches, Van Dijk has been solid at the back, winning his headers and duels. Not even a single player has managed to dribble past the Dutchman the whole season!
He has also been consistent at the International level. After the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Van Dijk has played a major part in the Dutch team's resurgence. They are now well placed to qualify for Euro 2020 and are also in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
He and De Ligt have formed one of the best and most feared defensive partnership at the back for their country. If Van Dijk and co-manage to win the Nation’s League and should Messi's Argentina have a poor Copa America campaign, then Van Dijk would surely have a good chance to claim this award.
#2 A versatile centre-back
Not only is Van Dijk known for his well-timed tackles and for winning aerial duels, he is also known for his passing ability. He is excellent with the ball at his feet, which is one of the first requirements for a modern-day defender.
He can also pick out the odd pass, break the opposite team's press and also help create chances for his team. His assist against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final was simply wonderful. Besides this, he is always a threat for the opposition from set piece play.
He has also been rock solid at the back for Liverpool this season. If you compare Liverpool’s defensive records before and after the arrival of Van Dijk in their team, you will surely understand why he has been so good this season. He transformed Liverpool from one of the worst defensive teams in the league to the best in just over a year. With his help, Liverpool have kept 21 clean sheets in the league (the most in the league)!
He has also helped improve his centre back partners like Lovren and Matip. Comparing the stats we can say that there is no other defender better than him in the world at this moment.
#3 He has helped Liverpool to reach UCL final for the second season in a row
Since the arrival of Van Dijk, Liverpool have managed to reach two UCL finals and have also managed to finish as runners up in the Premier League with just one point behind the winners, Man City in what was the closest title race in the Premier League history. They might also become the kings of Europe once again if they manage to beat Spurs in the Champions League final at Madrid.
Van Dijk has played a major part in this recent run of success of Jurgen Klopp's team. He has stood like a wall at the back and has also scored some crucial goals in the team’s endeavour. With him as the centre back, Liverpool now possess one of the best defences in the world with the likes of Robertson, Alexander Arnold and Allison in goal.
If Liverpool manage to beat Spurs in the final, they will win their sixth UCL title and this would surely elevate Van Dijk's chances of winning the award as it’s past winners in recent times had won the UCL that year.
