UPDATE- Van Dijk wins UEFA Men’s player of the year ahead of Messi, Ronaldo

Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, has been named the UEFA

Champions League Men’s Player of the Year.

The Dutchman won the prize on Thursday, ahead of Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi.

Van Dijk had an impressive 2018/2019 campaign with the Reds, as they won the Champions League trophy and finished in second place in the Premier League behind Manchester City.

He becomes the first ever defender to win the award and the first player from the Premier League to do so.