Virgil van Dijk would be a worthy candidate for the 2019 Ballon d'Or, according to Netherlands teammate Ryan Babel.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the world's best defenders since making a £75m move to Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, helping transform a previously porous backline into one of Europe's meanest.
The 27-year-old was also a key factor in the Reds accruing 97 points in the Premier League this term and, while that was only enough for a second-placed finish, he and his teammates ended the season as Champions League winners.
Those achievements have convinced Van Dijk's fellow Dutchman Babel - a former Liverpool player himself - that his international colleague should be in the running for the biggest individual prize of all.
"The last time I remember a defender winning the Ballon d'Or, it was Cannavaro in 2006. So it's not impossible," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think it is fair that he would at least be on the shortlist.
"We will see in the end if he wins it or not. I would be very happy for him [if he does]."
A 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or will be announced in the build-up to the prize being handed out in December.
Luka Modric is the current holder of the accolade, the Croatian having ended Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's 10-year grip on the gong last time out.
