The Dutch dynamo has overtaken Lionel Messi as favourite.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has overtaken Lionel Messi as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or, following his valiant efforts for the Netherlands last night.
A combination of winning the Champions League and steering his country to a major final have prompted a flurry of bets on the Dutchman.
In fact, bookmakers now make it odds-on that he scoops the most prestigious individual award in world football.
Back in May, van Dijk was installed as a 7/1 shot to win the award, although that’s now been cut to just 8/11 with multiple bookies.
That’s due to a spate of bets on the centre back, with 46% of all bets in the last 24 hours and 42% of all bets in the past week.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has been pushed out to 6/5 to be crowned the best player in the world, in what is essentially a two-horse race.
The third most likely is another Liverpool player in the shape of Sadio Mane, but the forward is 20/1 to beat van Dijk and Messi.
Yet another of Jürgen Klopp’s side comes next with Mo Salah (20/1), who edges ahead of five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo (25/1).
Oddschecker spokesperson Callum Wilson: “Virgil van Dijk’s imperious performances for both club and country this season have not just been noticed by fans, but by punters in equal measure.
“Luka Modric proved last year that it is possible to break the Messi-Ronaldo stranglehold and punters will be watching closely to see if a certain Dutchman can repeat the feat.”
