Steven Gerrard says Virgil van Dijk deserves to win Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool legend, claims Virgil van Dijk deserves to win Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi and explains why. The ceremony takes place this evening and according to widespread reports, the name in the golden envelope is Lionel Messi. “Yes, 100 per cent," he's quoted by the Daily Mail.  "I'm Messi's No 1 fan, for sure. I love the player. Obscene numbers in his game in terms of assists and goals. I'm definitely a Messi fan, in the gang. "But if you talk about consistency from one player over a year, who wins the European Cup and is absolutely faultless in every performance, that means you deserve to win the Ballon d'Or.”

Chelsea given hope of securing forward transfer following manager exit