Virgil van Dijk conceded he had to respect greatness after losing out on the 2019 Ballon d Or to Lionel Messi.
Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi won the prize for a record sixth time having scored 41 times in 44 club appearances for Barcelona, with whom he won a 10th LaLiga title last season.
Success in the Champions League eluded him, though, as Van Dijk helped Liverpool oust Barcelona in the semi-finals en route to a sixth triumph in Europe s most premier club competition.
Van Dijk s performances for the Reds in that competition and with Nations League finalists Netherlands ensured he finished second in the voting for the Ballon d Or, though he had no qualms about being pipped to the prize by Messi.
It was amazing, Van Dijk said of his 2019.
Unfortunately there are a couple of players like him that are a bit unnatural, I think.
They re fantastic. Six-time Ballon d Or [winner], you need to respect greatness as well. I was close but there was just someone a little bit better.
BIG VIRG
After an incredible 2019, VVD finishes second in the
Well in,
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
I m very proud of what I achieved last year with Liverpool, Holland and hopefully we can do that again this year.
It s going to be tough as long as these guys are around still.
While Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished third in the voting, have long been considered greats, 28-year-old Van Dijk has had a slower rise to the top.
The former Groningen, Celtic and Southampton defender only won his first international cap four years ago and thinks the recognition he has recently received is a reflection of his attitude.
I never thought that I would be up for a Ballon d Or until I was actually nominated, Van Dijk added.
It says a lot about how my career has been. It s never been easy. My career is just different to the winner here.
I came late but I never gave up on my dreams. I had to work hard every step of the way. Where I am right now is something I m very proud of.
