Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been named in the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO TheBest Men's World XI following a spectacular year.
Jurgen Klopp's side were edged out in the race for the Premier League and were beaten in the Champions League final but they did claim the domestic cup double winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea on penalties in both, with the Dutchman at the heart of the defence throughout.
Van Dijk is the only Liverpool player to be named in the 11 and was presented the trophy at an exclusive event in the French capital, Paris. The defender was alongside Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Casemiro on Monday night to pick up the award.
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"First and foremost proud, grateful, blessed, I can say a couple of things but those are the feelings that I have," said Van Dijk.
"It was an interesting year, we played all of the games and were competing for all trophies until the last game of the season. Very close, unfortunately couldn't get it done but very proud to be apart of this football club.
"I'm grateful and this is the biggest recognition you can get, voted for by your peers, by the players you play with and know what you go with day in, day out and play the same level. Proud."
His Reds teammate Alisson Becker was among the nominees but was beaten to the accolade by Thibaut Courtois as Emiliano Martinez scooped the Best FIFA Men's goalkeeper. Lionel Messi was named Best FIFA Men's Player.
2022 FIFPro Men's World XI in full:
Best Men's XI: Thibaut Courtois, Achraf Hakimi, Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk, Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland.
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