Cesc Fabregas names one Liverpool star who could 'deserve' Ballon d'Or — not Mo Salah

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised Virgil van Dijk for his performances this season, even claiming that he could be the best player in the world right now.

"I’m going to say something that I think no one ever thought about or ever said publicly, potentially, Virgil van Dijk could deserve the Ballon d’Or," Fabregas told BBC Sport.

Van Dijk has been back to his best this season, having struggled to regain form since a terrible knee injury he suffered in 2020.

With Liverpool out of the Champions League, Van Dijk is an underdog in the Ballon d'Or race. He might have a chance, though, if he leads the Netherlands to a successful Euro campaign — or Liverpool to a Premier League title.

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