Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender should win Ballon dOr ahead of Lionel Messi, says Reds legend John Barnes
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk deserves to win this years Ballon dOr after claiming the Champions League title, according to Anfield legend John Barnes.You would struggle to find another player who has made as much of an impact as the Dutchman has in 18 months at Anfield.Virgil van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders by lifting the European CupGETTY2
Virgil van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders by lifting the European Cup
In future years, Van Dijks 75million arrival in January 2018 may be remembered as the starting point of a new era of success for the Merseyside giants people will talk about BVD (before Van Dijk) and AVD (after Van Dijk).In fact, had the club not signed the centre-back or 67m goalkeeper Alisson, Liverpool probably wouldnt be celebrating their sixth European Cup success both were key in their scrappy final victory over Tottenham in Madrid. PFA Player of the Year Van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders this season, and Barnes believes he would be a worthy winner when the Ballon dOr is awarded later in the year.He is undoubtedly the strongest contender to rival Lionel Messi for the gong.Fans raged last year when World Cup and Champions League winner Luka Modric won the prize ahead of Messi, who finished fifth in the voting despite scoring 45 goals and winning LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles for Barcelona.This season, Messi scored a stunning 51 goals and provided 22 assists in 50 games for Barca, and has been widely tipped to win his SEVENTH Golden Ball.No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpoolgetty2
No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool
But, asked if Van Dijk on course to win the coveted gong, Barnes told talkSPORT: Very possibly.Normally when you look at the Ballon dOr winners, theyre either attacking midfield players or centre-forwards. They are goalscorers and eye-catching players.Liverpool's Champions League heroes Van Dijk and Wijnaldum given standing ovation as they join Holland squad

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
  • Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
  • Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
  • France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
  • Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
  • Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) talkSPORT
  • England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT
But there havent been any of those types of players who have really set the world alight this season.So from a point of consistency and from a point of success, for me Van Dijk would have to be the man.
Replays appear to show Messi jumping into Fabinho

Matteo Darmian desperate to leave Manchester United for Italy return this summer but boss Jose Mourinho will only sell if valuation is met amid shortage of right-backs StanChart agrees extension
Frank Lampard is in a good position to get Derby into the Championship play-offs

Brendan Rodgers: I have the best job in the world at Celtic Monday, April 30, 2018 - 11:53 AM Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hopes to work in the English Premier League again but "no time soon".
Brendan Rodgers: I have the best job in the world at Celtic
Roy Keane inspired Man United to beat Juventus

Five reasons Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea have been a disappointment so far this season The Blues got off to a flying start under their Italian coach but have struggled in the last few months By
Five reasons Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea have been a
Lukaku returned to form at Selhurst Park

Manchester United transfer news: Gareth Bale would be 'huge asset' at Old Trafford, insists former Red Devils Signing Gareth Bale is a risk worth taking for Manchester United, believes former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen.
Manchester United transfer news: Gareth Bale would be 'huge
'If England are going to do well, we need Raheem Sterling to do well' - Joey Barton urges fans to get behind Manchester City man

A man was knocked out after a brawl between Burnley and Cardiff fans. The sickening footage shows a group of people throwing punches on the street as fans tried to avoid the melee. One man, who is believed to be a Burnley fan, could be seen falling to the floor after being attacked by two people.
Burnley and Cardiff City fans involved in shocking fight
Matt Doherty has been a fantasy football favourite this term

Derby County team news v Swansea City - Frank Lampard names his XI having been found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association following his alleged bite on Stoke's Joe Allen. Read
Hob Nob Anyone? - Reading FC News Feed - royals.org
Kongolo is a target for Fenerbache
Championship play-offs: Super Computer predicts who will be
Lee Seung-mo fell on his neck after going up for a header

Patrick Bauer scored a 94th-minute goal to earn Charlton Athletic a 2-1 comeback win against Sunderland in Sunday's League One playoff final at Wembley Stadium. Charlton fell behind with five
15. Bournemouth

ANTHONY KNOCKAERT and Jurgen Locadia stepped out of the shadows to fire Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals. Chris Hughton's team might be in Premier League freefall but they are proving to
Liverpool face another big week coming up

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Premier League clash between Tottenham and Crystal Palace, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records. matches without a win in the Premier
Crystal Palace v Manchester City Match Report, 14/04/2019
The Champions League final will be played on Saturday, June 1

21 Sep 2016, Sports News covering Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Rugby, Boxing and Motorsports from around the world brought to you by 15 Minute News
EXCLUSIVE Football News [Archive] - Page 2 - VipSatelit
New Chelsea signing Gonzalo Higuian

David Beckham is keen to land some big name players for Inter Miami ahead of their MLS debut. David Beckham attempts to lure Barcelona star Luis Suarez to Inter Miami for debut MLS campaign.
David Beckham attempts to lure Barcelona star Luis Suarez to
Ronaldo scored in the semi-final against Wales

Tottenham opinion: 3 alternatives for Giovani Lo Celso. According to a report from the Express, Tottenham Hotspur have had a £52 million bid for Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso rejected by
Tottenham news live: Spurs' Lo Celso battle as bid rejected