Ronaldo should have won UEFA award over Van Dijk, suggests Nedved

The Liverpool defender was crowned Player of the Year on Thursday, but the Juventus legend was surprised at the final result

Cristiano Ronaldo should have won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award instead of Virgil van Dijk, Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved has suggested.

Defender Van Dijk triumphed at Thursday’s ceremony having played a key part in Liverpool‘s Champions League triumph last term and Netherlands‘ run to the Nations League final.

Ronaldo appeared in good spirits despite being overlooked for the prize, joking with old rival Lionel Messi in a stage-side interview.

Nedved, though, was in no doubt over which of the nominated trio should have been given the trophy.

“I expected Ronaldo’s victory, but we accept everything,” he said to Sky Sport Italia.