By Daily Sports on November 13, 2019

Virgil van Dijk and Megan Rapinoe have been crowned winners of Goal 50 for 2019.

Dutch centre-back Van Dijk beat strong competition from Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah to become the first defender to win the annual award.

It caps a remarkable year for Van Dijk, who played a pivotal role in his club's sensational

Champions League triumph, with the Netherlands international turning in a man of the match-winning display in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the final in Madrid.

“I am very proud to have been named at No.1 in Goal 50 for 2019," Van Dijk told Goal. "To be recognised among the great players in world football is very special for me."

The 28-year-old also helped his country reach the final of the Nations League, which played a role in him pipping a resurgent Messi to top spot.

The four-time Goal 50 winner suffered more international heartbreak with Argentina, who were beaten by Brazil in controversial circumstances in the semi-finals of the Copa America.

However, Messi was once again in sensational form for Barcelona last season, netting a remarkable 51 goals in just 50 appearances in 2018-19, and finishes second in the men's list.

Of course, the 32-year-old's outrageous strike-rate wasn't enough to bring the Champions League back to Catalunya, as Barca were upset by Liverpool in the last four.

Salah, third in Goal 50 for 2019, missed the historic second-leg comeback at Anfield through injury but he returned to net the crucial opening goal in the final in Madrid. (Goal)

•PHOTO: Virgil Van Dijk and Rapinoe

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 13, 2019

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