Portugal won the UEFA Nations League final in Porto, beating the Netherlands 1-0, thanks to a second half goal from Goncalo Guedes.
In case you didn’t know…
Messi enjoyed a spectacular individual season with Barcelona, racking up 51 goals across all comepetitions and leading the Catalan giants to yet another La Liga title. The mercurial Argentine finished the 2018-19 season with a record-equalling sixth Pichichi, a record sixth European Golden Shoe and also being the top goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League.
Messi, however, failed to inspire Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg as the Spanish champions bottled a three-goal lead to lose 4-0 against Liverpool at Anfield. And despite the Argentine scoring against Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona lost the game 2-1. He is set to captain Argentina in the upcoming Copa America and will be looking to win a major senior international trophy with his country.
On the other hand, Van Dijk was in fine form for Liverpool last season, overseeing the meanest defence in the Premier League. Conceding just 22 goals in 38 league games, the Reds gave eventual winners Manchester City a run for their money till the final matchday.
Van Dijk was also instrumental in Liverpool winninng their sixth European Cup/Champions League title, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final in Madrid. The Dutchman also ably captained the Netherlands to the final of the UEFA Nations League.
The heart of the matter
Carragher, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2004-05, believes Messi is now the favourite to win the 2019 Ballon d’Or after Van Dijk failed to lift the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy with the Netherlands.
What’s next?
Messi’s Argentina will kick off their Copa America campaign against Colombia on 15th June.
On the other hand, Van Dijk could feature for Liverpool in their pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers on 11th July.
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