Virgil van Dijk rubs shoulders with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for Uefa Men’s Player of the Year crown
- Virgil van Dijk takes on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday night
- One of the trio will be named the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year in Monaco
- Real Madrid and Croatia playmaker Luka Modric won the award last season
Virgil van Dijk takes on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday night to see who will be crowned Uefa Men’s Player of the Year.
The Liverpool defender was nominated for his superb season that helped lead Jurgen Klopp’s side to their sixth Champions League title.
The three-player shortlist was voted for by a jury of the 80 coaches of the clubs which participated in the group stages of last season’s Champions and Europa League together with 55 journalists from each of Uefa’s 55 member associations.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is in the running for the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year crown
Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric won the award last season, ending a run of four years of Ronaldo and Messi dominance.
This year’s winner, who received the most votes overall, will be announced during the group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday.
Ronaldo has won the title three times before, Messi twice.
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi are also in contention
