Virgil Van Dijk wins UEFA Men’s Player of the Year

Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, has been named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2018/19, ahead of three-time UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, and two-time winner Lionel Messi.

The Champions League draw ceremony took place in Monaco on Thursday, 29th, with the elite of European football learning their group-stage opponents for this year’s tournament.

The event was also an opportunity for UEFA to hand out their annual awards, recognising the best performing players in each position throughout the last year.

As well as the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward, UEFA selected the best Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year and handed the President’s award to Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.

See the full list of winners below:

UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award: Virgil Van Dijk

UEFA Women’s Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze

Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: Alisson Becker
Champions League Defender of the Season: Virgil Van Dijk
Champions League Midfielder of the Season: Frenkie de Jong
Champions League Forward of the Season: Lionel Messi

Photo credit: @championsleague