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#2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
Lionel Messi had one of the best individual campaigns of his illustrious career last season as he finished with 51 goals and 22 assists from just 50 matches in all competitions for Barcelona, which came at a staggering goal involvement ratio of 1.46 goals per match. Besides, he also won a record sixth European Golden Shoe as well as the Champions League Golden Boot for the fifth time.
These are not regular numbers, and the Rosario native would have been the overwhelming favourite for this award had Barcelona not suffered an embarrassing elimination to Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Messi saw his chances further hampered with his no-show on the field and shameful outburst at the 2019 Copa America, but despite these, he is still in the running to win this award for the third time.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is the overwhelming favourite to triumph in most of the individual awards, and rightly so, as the 28-year-old's performances over the last year have been stupendous to say the least.
Having joined Liverpool for a record-breaking sum in January 2018, the Dutch international has more than justified his fee with calm and confident displays at the heart of defense.
Last season, he was the stalwart of a Liverpool defense that conceded just 22 goals and kept 21 clean sheets, playing all but 28 minutes of the season as Jurgen Klopp's men pushed Manchester City all the way in what was one of the tightest Premier League races in history.
Van Dijk was incredible, making 3,037 passes (which was the second most in the league last season), while also attempting 38 tackles with a 74% success rate and making 199 clearances and 193 recoveries, and was voted as the PFA Player of the Year for his efforts.
He was also famously not dribbled past last season, as he helped Liverpool to their sixth Champions League trophy, in addition to captaining his nation to the final of the UEFA Nations League.
