Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk  has been named the 2019 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old pipped Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the coveted title after a stellar 2018/19 season that saw him help the Reds to a sixth UEFA Champions League title.

Van Dijk was named the Man-of-the-match in the Champions League final played in Madrid, with Liverpool beating fellow English side Tottenham 2-0.

The towering defender made 59 appearances for club and country last season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. He also played more minutes for Liverpool (4,465) than any other outfield player.

The winner was decided by 80 coaches of the teams in the group stage of the Champions League and Europa League in 2018/19, in addition to one journalist from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations.

The Men’s Player of the Year award was last won by Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, the first player to end the Ronaldo-Messi streak that stretched back one decade.

Van Dijk is the first defender to win the award since its inception in 2011.

The Netherlands international had earlier picked up the Champions League Defender of the Season accolade. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong won the Midfielder of the Season award after inspiring Ajax to their historic semi-final finish in the UEFA Champions League last season, before his summer move to Spain. Messi, claimed the Forward of the Season award.