Virgil van Dijk has been declared UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the award.
Van Dijk is the first defender to win the title since it was introduced in 2011.
The captain of the Netherlands national team, Van Dijk plays as a centre-back for Liverpool. In his very first year at the club, after being purchased from Southhampton in 2018 for a record £75 million, he played with his side in the Champion’s League final, which Liverpool lost1-3.
In the 2018-19 season, Van Dijk was named man of the match in the team’s final against Tottenham, where he played a significant role in breaking up Tottenham’s attack.
Former Manchester United legend Eric Cantona was awarded the UEFA 2019 President’s Award.
The award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities.
Liverpool’s Allison Becker was adjudged goalkeeper of the year, while his teammate, Virgil van Dijk, won the defender of the year award.
Former Ajax player Frenkie de Jong won midfielder of the year, after a fairytale season where his side beat Juventus and Real Madrid before losing to Tottenham in the semi. He joined Barcelona in the summer.
Messi won the Forward of the year award. He was part of the Barcelona side that lost to Liverpool in the semifinal last year. His current injury has led to him not yet being featured in his team’s games this season. His side faces the toughest group this year, with three-time champions Inter Milan and one-time champion Dortmund.
