Jaap Stamp: Messi deserved to win the Ballon d’Or
Although his status is a great Dutch legend and former defender, Jaap Stamp does not necessarily consider Virgil Van Dijk more worthy of winning Ballon D’Or last year. He called Messi more feasible, with everything the Argentinian had achieved.
As is known, Virgil Van Dijk did manage to break through the nomination of the top three 2019 Ballon d’Or after delivering Liverpool to be champions of the European Champions League last season. On the top three podiums, he competes with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Van Dijk was predicted to be the winner, and Jaap Stamp said he was satisfied with the prediction. Because, it proves that currently a defender is no longer underestimated.
“A defender usually is underestimated and people don’t think much about them. I think now it’s getting better and people are more often appreciating the work of a defender, “Stam said as reported by Goal International.
However, the former AC Milan player still considers Messi as a player who deserves to win the trophy.
“Looking at the world now, I think Messi is still the best player. If you see Ballon d’Or and win a trophy, I think the right decision is to give it to Messi,” he said.
Stamp is not not want to see a defender win the Ballon d’Or again after the last, Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006 ago. But, according to him Messi with consistency to survive at the top level and heavy pressure on his shoulders, more deserved the trophy.
“It’s not that I don’t want him to win it, but I think Messi and what he does year after year, score goals and create goals with pressure under him, I think he deserves it,” he stressed.
Messi managed to finish at the top of the most votes, slightly ahead of Van Dijk, while Cristiano Ronaldo was third.
After the announcement, Virgil Van Dijk did not hide his disappointment after being defeated by Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or 2019 award. Nevertheless, he still had the heart to accept the victory of the Barcelona Star, who has now collected 6 Ballon d’Or thropies.