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#2 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool FC)
£75 million for Van Dijk seems like an absolute bargain, doesn't it? Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool were criticised for breaking the record for a defender but Van Dijk has proved Klopp right for what he did.
The Holland defender has to be the most consistent defender this season, as keeping clean sheets have certainly not been a problem for Liverpool. Allison has one of the best save percentage in the league this season, but he has not been forced to make much saves this term - thanks to Van Dijk's brilliant performances for Liverpool.
Nothing to take away from Matip, the Reds have been a class apart compared to the other European sides when it comes to defending. Liverpool has conceded only 9 goals in 10 Champions League games, keeping 4 clean sheets, only behind Barcelona (5).
I'd honestly put my money on Liverpool in the semi-final against Barcelona because the defensive performances put in by Van Dijk has been nothing short of incredible.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
10 goals in 8 appearances, Lionel Messi is the highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season. He, yet again, makes it to the top of the World's Best Players, and it is not even surprising anymore.
Words struggle to describe Messi's brilliance, and we will never be short of admiration for this little man. Messi, during the initial stages of the season, had given a speech at the Camp Nou saying they have some unfinished business in Europe, and that his side would give their everything to bring the prestigious Champions League trophy back to Camp Nou. And so far, the Argentine has been true to his word.
With 10 goals and 3 assists, Leo Messi is the top scorer and the 3rd-highest assist-provider in the competition. If he continues this form against Liverpool, Klopp's men would be in for a tough ride make it past the Catalan side and into the final of the Champions League in Madrid.
The players who gave us a hard time for deciding this article are the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Vertonghen, Andre Onana and Sadio Mane, who have been phenomenal for their respective sides but could not earn a spot on these rankings.
