Rangers head coach Steven Gerrard believes Virgil van Dijk deserves to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi, given he was faultless with his performances during the Reds’ Champions League triumph. Van Dijk has been hugely instrumental for the Reds in the central defence since arriving from Southampton last year and he has continued the good form this term, where the Reds are comfortably at the top of the Premier League table.

Speaking in a press conference, Gerrard acknowledged that he is a huge admirer of Barcelona’s Messi and he is among those, who would want the Argentine to enjoy every success. However, he added that the Ballon d’Or should be presented to Van Dijk, given he was the catalyst towards ending the Reds’ seven-year wait for a trophy.