Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk wins the UEFA Player of the Year award
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk wins the UEFA Player of the Year award

FIFA awards: Virgil van Dijk joins Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo on Player of the Year shortlist, Klopp, Pochettino & Guardiola up for Coach of the Year


Virgil Van Dijk has been shortlisted for yet another individual accolade as he joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in vying for the FIFA men's Player of the Year award.

Van Dijk, who beat both Barcelona Messi and Juve's Ronaldo to win the UEFA Player of the Year award last week, is again the favourite to beat the two other footballing superstars to this latest award.

Manchester City's Ederson and Liverpool's Alisson Becker, who went head-to-head in last season's Premier League title race, are vying to be named the world's best goalkeeper.

The pair have made the final shortlist of three for FIFA's The Best goalkeeper award.

Barcelona's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is the third name on the list.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who led the Reds to Champions League glory, was shortlisted in the men's coach category along with Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino, whose side were beaten in the Madrid final.

There was a clean sweep for the Premier League in this category, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola the third man on the list after completing a domestic treble.

England Women head coach Phil Neville, who guided the Lionesses to the semi-finals of this summer's World Cup, made the shortlist for women's coach of the year.

Neville's side were beaten by eventual winners the United States in France.

Lucy Bronze, one of England's standout stars at the World Cup, is shortlisted for the women's player award.

However, she is up against arguably the most high-profile player of the tournament, Megan Rapinoe, and her USA team-mate Alex Morgan.

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo