Ronald Koeman: Van Dijk deserves the Ballon d'Or, it's about time a defender won it Barcelona Has just won the Champions League with Liverpool

Ronald Koeman has tipped Virgil van Dijk to win this year's Ballon d'Or for the defenders' union.

The Liverpool centre-back is in contention for the award, along with some of his teammates and Lionel Messi.

Koeman is currently preparing the Netherlands for their UEFA Nations League semi-final with England, with Van Dijk set to join up with the national squad after celebrating Liverpool's Champions League triumph.

"It's about time the Ballon d'Or was given to a defender," Koeman said.

"Van Dijk deserves to win it."

Former Barcelona defender Koeman also praised Messi but claimed that he needed to win major trophies with his club side to be considered the best for that season.

"He's the best player," Koeman said of the Argentine.

"But I also think that he also has to win tournaments with his team to be able to win awards for himself."

Van Dijk was named Man of the Match in the Champions League final as the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano.