Steven Gerrard has backed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to beat Lionel Messi to the 2019 Ballon d'Or award.
And that is despite former Liverpool skipper Gerrard declaring himself to be "Messi's number one fan".
Van Dijk has already pipped Messi to the UEFA Men's Player of the Year, but he finished second to the Barcelona star in the FIFA's The Best awards.
But many are backing the Liverpool defender to come out on top when the Ballon d'Or ceremony is held in Paris on Monday.
Not least Gerrard, after Van Dijk was a rock at the heart of the Liverpool defence as the Reds marched to a Champions League triumph and finished second in the Premier League by a single point to Manchester City .
Rangers boss Gerrard was in Van Dijk's native Holland for his side's 2-2 draw with Feyenoord, and was asked by a Dutch reporter whether the centre-back should win the Ballon d'Or.
"Yes, 100 per cent," said Gerrard, in quotes reported by Goal .
"I'm Messi's number one fan, for sure. I love the player. Obscene numbers in his game in terms of assists and goals. I'm definitely a Messi fan, in the gang.
"But if you talk about consistency from one player over a year, who wins the European Cup and is absolutely faultless in every performance, that means you deserve to win the Ballon d'Or."
Messi is the favourite to win a sixth Ballon d'Or, after he led Barcelona to the successful defence of their La Liga title.
However, his side were beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final as Jurgen Klopp's men mounted a stunning comeback from a 3-0 first-leg deficit, triumphing 4-0 on the night.
Messi holds the joint-record for most wins of the award with five, along with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo , who is also a contender.
