Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said that he believes Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk would be a worthy winner of this year's Ballon D'Or.

The trophy, awarded every year by France Football, recognises the player deemed to have played the best football over the past 12 months, as voted for by football journalists.

Last year it was won by Madrid star Luka Modric, who in the process ended a ten year domination of the award by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won five awards apiece between 2008 and 2017.

Van Dijk is the bookies favourite for 2019 after winning the UEFA Player of the Year last month and Ramos believes he would be a worthy winner.

Speaking to Marca, the Madrid defender said: "If Van Dijk wins it, it will be on sufficient merit.

"As a defender, it's harder.

"It seems as though it's not just Messi and Cristiano [now]. It seems there's a route opening [for others]."

Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to win the award back in 2006 after he guided his country to World Cup victory over France.