Jamie Carragher predicts the winner of the 2019 Gold Ball – and this is not Virgil van Dijk

Jamie Carragher does not think Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk will win the Golden Ball this season, even though he led the Reds to the glory of the Champions League.

Liverpool legend believes Lionel Messi will win the trophy for the sixth time, after his Barcelona team won the Liga last season.

Van Dijk is one of the favorites to win this award following a sensational campaign against Merseyside in which Liverpool lost only once in the Premier League.

But the defenders are usually neglected for the attacking players, and Carragher is convinced that the story is repeated and that Messi will receive the consent of the Dutchman.

"I saw that he was ahead of Messi in the betting.I think Messi to be honest – very rarely do you see a central defender receiving that," said Carragher on Sky Sports.

"I think Cannavaro was right to win the World Cup in 2006.

"I do not think his game has changed much during the season, he has obviously had a great season, but I think we have to win big and I think the Champions League earned him that title. better.

"When we spoke earlier this season, we always talked about Pique and Ramos, not necessarily better than Van Dijk – but they have the medals for the club and the country.

"That's why he will be disappointed today." [missing out on Nations League]. Obviously, it's not a World Cup or Euros but it's just that pretty little trophy for his country.

"But I think when you win something big, it's when you really get along at this level and I think he's the best in the world at this job." He has a proven track record. But Golden Ball, I think of Messi. "