Liverpool defender, Virgil Van Dijk says he would relish the “big honour” of being awarded the Ballon d’Or.
The Netherlands centre-back has been listed as one of the favourites to win the award for the world’s best footballer.
The 28-year-old has been pivotal since joining the Reds.
The defender was played an instrumental part as Liverpool won the Champions League against Tottenham Hotspurs and finished second in the Premier League.
“If I am rewarded for the season I had last year that would be unbelievable and I would be so proud,” he said.
“But I feel there is still more to come. I can get more out of me.”
Van Dijk joined Liverpool for a record fee of £75m from Southampton in January 2018 and has gone on to be an integral player for Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutch footballer won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player (PFA) of the Year award last season.
The centre-back speaking in an interview with Sky Sports on how he feels being one of the names mentioned to win the Ballon d’Or he made the following assertion.
“People are talking about it and honestly you cannot say it doesn’t do you something”
“But it is a subject you don’t have an influence on” he added.
The Netherlands captain had had a sterling season and he says he is own harsh critic and demands more from himself.
“Obviously, it is a big honour to be named as one of the favourites to win such a prestigious award but what can I do? I just get on with playing,” he told BBC Sport.
“I am very hard on myself. I know the slightest loss of concentration, the slightest mistake will be punished. I try to limit it as much as possible.
“I have always been very critical of myself and I like the people around me to be critical too. And they are, the manager is as well, which is a good thing.
“I have improved since I joined Liverpool. Last year I am very satisfied with the fact that I played so many games on a consistent level, I am very proud of that fact. On a critical part, I could have done more on attacking set-pieces, been more dangerous. It is not easy, I try to work on it.
“I feel there is still more to come. That comes from playing games. In my position, it is all about experience as well. Playing games, staying fit, and that will hopefully bring success for the team.”
The Reds will be challenging for seven trophies next season including the FIFA Club World Cup, The UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea and Community Shield against Manchester City.
