UEFA Player of The Year: Virgil Van Dijk and Lucy Bronze Win Awards

> Dipto Paul
Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk named the UEFA Men’s Player of the year while England’s Lucy Bronze won the women’s award.
Van Dijk get on the top by putting behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liverpool Defender Van Dijk helped the Reds to beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League final in Madrid in June.
He is the first defender in the world who won this award since 2010-11 season.
“I’m very proud to get this trophy. It’s credit to everyone who has helped me,” said Van Dijk.
“I need to thank my team-mates; without them I would not have achieved what I have achieved. It’s been a long road and it’s part of my journey,” he added.
English Full-back Lucy Bronze beat Lyon team-mates Ada Hegerberg and Amandine Henry to gain the women’s player of the year award.
She is the first English winner voted by top coaches in the women’s game and journalists.
Bronze helped England to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in France in the summer.
“I want to say a huge thanks to the Lionesses, the England team. We had a great summer and I don’t think I would have won this award if it wasn’t for them,” said Bronze.
“The same goes for the Lyon team. We had an amazing season; we won the treble. I think any one of those girls could have been up here receiving this award,” she added.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong awarded the best midfielder award and Liverpool Keeper Alisson Becker awarded the best goalkeeper award this season.