Michael Owen makes a big claim about Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk

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Michael Owen has told Robbie Savage’s Breakfast podcast on BBC Sport that he believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is in with a shout of winning the Ballon d’Or, and is the only competition to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van Dijk, 28, has starred at the back for Liverpool. He has played an enormous part in taking Liverpool from a top-four side into genuine title contenders, and was pivotal in their 2018-19 successes.

Unlucky to win the league with a record-breaking second-placed points total of 97, Liverpool won the Champions league and most of that was down to van Dijk. The ex-Southampton star has also captained the Netherlands into a good patch of form.

It saw him named the third best player in the world at FIFA’s best awards – but he could still win the Ballon d’Or. Savage asked Owen who should win it, and the Reds icon claimed that other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, van Dijk could win.

“But the one player that I think has raised the bar in terms of other players [other than Messi and Ronaldo] has got to be van Dijk,” Owen said. “He’s changed Liverpool’s back four, he has had an unbelievable season for his country, he has won the Champions League. If you’re looking outside of the top two, then you can look no further than van Dijk.”

TBR’s view – Does van Dijk deserve Ballon d’Or?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievements this year have once again been stunning. Ronaldo joined Juventus and helped them win the Serie A title and the Super Cup. He has had a hand in 45 goals in 54 games – scoring 34 and creating 11.

Messi has too, been sensational. He won La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and top scored in last season’s Champions League with 12. But has van Dijk’s impact outweighed the duo’s achievements?

Yes. He has not only pushed Liverpool to the Champions League title, but van Dijk has improved the players around him. He has turned Liverpool into European winners from previously scraping top four. The man deserves the Ballon d’Or – which takes place on December 2.