Holland manager and ex-Everton boss Ronald Koeman has backed Virgil van Dijk to beat Lionel Messi to this season's Ballon D'Or.
The Liverpool star is a leading contender for the gong after a flawless season for the Reds, which concluded with him claiming the European Cup on Saturday night.
Goals in either half from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi handed Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, and brought the curtain down on a memorable campaign for the defender, who was named UEFA's Man of the Match in the immediate aftermath.
But the 27-year-old, who was also named the PFA Player of the Year, has been quick to play down speculation linking him with the award, instead throwing his weight behind the Argentine.
“I think Messi is the best player in the world and I think he deserves it as long as he plays," the former Celtic man said recently.
“The Ballon d'Or is not something I am thinking of, but if it happens by any chance then obviously I will take it.
“But I don't think there is any case and I think that Messi is still the best player in the world and it doesn't matter if he isn't in the Champions League final."
But national team boss Koeman - who also managed Van Dijk at Southampton - believes his captain deserves to beat the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to this year's award.
"He deserves the Ballon d’Or,” Koeman said in an interview on Oranje’s official YouTube account .
"Everyone is often focused on players who score or create goals, or produce decisive goals.
“If there is ever a moment to give the Ballon d’Or to a defender, it is now.
"Messi is the best player but I also think you should win big trophies such as the Champions League to be in the picture for the Ballon d’Or.”
