Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has insisted that he cannot be compared to Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who beat the Dutchman to The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year award.
The pair were finalists for the award alongside Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was Messi who took home the prize on Monday evening, leaving Van Dijk second in the overall voting.
Well done, lads! @Alissonbecker and @VirgilvDijk have been included in the FIFA FIFPro Men's World11 for 2019 #TheBest | #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/Pnr8wlQDZR
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 23, 2019
Speaking to the media after the event (via Goal), Van Dijk insisted that he was not disappointed to come away without the individual award.
He said: "The people who vote made a decision and you have to accept it.
Fortunately, Van Dijk's performances over the last year were rewarded with a spot in The Best XI, alongside the likes of Messi and Liverpool teammate Alisson.
"Disappointed? You can't be disappointed.
Van Dijk has helped transform Liverpool into one of the world's strongest teams, and he played a pivotal role in their run to Champions League glory last season, establishing himself as one of the finest defenders around.
Although he missed out on the FIFA prize, which is voted for by national team captains, managers and media representatives around the world, Van Dijk was named UEFA Men's Player of the Year back in August.
The 28-year-old Dutchman also remains in the running for football's other great individual honour, the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded in early December.
Source : 90min