Virgil van Dijk is the bookies favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or later this year.

The 27-year-old, who joined Liverpool in 2018 for a record £75 million fee, played a huge role in the club's Champions League winning campaign last season.

He was also ever-present in their impressive title challenge, keeping 21 clean sheets throughout.

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Van Dijk was later named the PFA Player of the Year, becoming the first defender since John Terry in 2005 to win the prestigious trophy.

And ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony in September, the centre-back is odds-on to win it for the very first time.

He is currently 4/6 favourite with Sky Bet to lift the trophy, while Lionel Messi is narrowly behind him with odds of 6/5.

VAN DIJK

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Five time winner Cristiano Ronaldo is the third favourite at 12/1 and Van Dijk's teammate Sadio Mane is behind him with odds of 25/1.

Outside favourites include Kylian Mbappe, who is 33/1, while another Liverpool player, Alisson Becker, is miles behind at 66/1.

If you fancy a bizarre bet, Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is 100/1 with bookies Marathon Bet.

Messi Ballon d'Or

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Last month, Lionel Messi was named the fans favourite to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or ahead of van Dijk.

SPORTbible posted a readers' poll on Twitter asking which player should take home France Football's coveted prize.

With over 30,000 fans taking part in the poll, the 32-year-old Argentine forward came out on top with 54 per cent of the vote.

Who deserves to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or? :trophy:

- SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 5, 2019

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Van Dijk came in second place after securing 40 per cent, leaving his fellow Liverpool teammates to each receive three per cent share of the votes.

Do you think the centre-back deserves to take home the trophy this year? Or should Messi or Ronaldo add to their tally?

