Liverpool and Netherlands’ defender Virgil van Dijk was on Thursday crowned the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year during the European football body’s Champions League draw in Monaco.
Van Dijk was the big winner at the UEFA Champions League awards, picking the best player accolade ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Liverpool ace also scooped the Defender of the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League Season while his Reds teammate Alisson won the Goalkeeper of the Season award.
Frenkie de Jong claimed the Midfielder of the Season prize for his performances during Ajax Amsterdam’s run to the competition’s semi-finals.
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi was crowned Forward of the Season.
Lucy Bronze picked the Women’s Player of the Year award.
But it was Van Dijk who caused the big upset with his dominant displays at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
He earned enough votes to see off both Messi and Ronaldo for the top honour.
The following is a full list of award winners honoured by UEFA during the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League draw in Monaco:
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
UEFA Women’s Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Olympique Lyonnais)
Best players of the 2018/19 Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
UEFA President’s Award: Eric Cantona