Real Madrid and Spain icon Sergio Ramos has claimed if Virgil van Dijk wins the Ballon d'Or later this year he will do so on 'sufficient merit'.
The veteran defender came up against Van Dijk in the 2018 Champions League final, and thinks there is a route opening up for the Dutch captain to overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to the Evening Standard - at the premiere of his Amazon Prime documentary series - Ramos described Van Dijk as a 'great defender'.
"If Van Dijk wins it, it will be on sufficient merit - great defender," said the 33-year-old.
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"As a defender, it's harder. It seems as though it's not just Messi and Cristiano [now]. It seems there's a route opening [for others]."
Ramos also commented on the fact no Spanish player has been awarded the prestigious accolade since 1960.
"It makes you think [when you realise] that no Spanish players have won it [recently].
"It's an individual prize and it's not really known what is being recognised."
Earlier this month Van Dijk was named as a nominee for The Best FIFA Men's Player award.
This follows being crowned the UEFA Men's Player of the Year at the Champions League group stage draw which took place in August.
