The Best FIFA Men's Player 2019: Top five contenders for the award from the ten-man shortlist 

#1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and the Netherlands)

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker may have been controversially snubbed from FIFA's ten-man shortlist but the Reds brigade can rejoice in the fact that they have a worthy contender in Virgil van Dijk.

A record-breaking sum of £75 million never looked so less as Liverpool are reaping the harvests of Van Dijk's signing from Southampton last year. Under the leadership of the centre-back, the Reds defence, comprising of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, transformed into one of the best in Europe.

The Dutchman's stature, ability and reading of the game made him impenetrable and even made way for one of the most infamous statistics from the 2018-19 campaign. The stat claims that the defender has not been dribbled past in any competitive game in the preceding campaign with Leroy Sane believed to be the only player to have done so in a friendly.

The 28-year-old was an influential figure in Liverpool's incredible 97-point haul in the Premier League and his exploits even earned him the 2019 PFA Player of the Year award. He also played a pivotal role in Liverpool's journey to the Champions League title, a victory that has further propelled him to the forefront of the individual award race.

Internationally, Van Dijk led the Netherlands to the inaugural UEFA Nations League finals but while he was able to stifle Cristiano Ronaldo, he was unable to stop Portugal from getting the better of the Dutch side.