This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
Eden Hazard Backs Liverpool Trio for Ballon d'Or 2019 ¶
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has expressed his support for Liverpool's sensational trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk for the Ballon d'Or 2019 award.
According to Hazard, one of the Liverpool players deserves the prestigious gong, which will be held in December. The award is dominated by Liverpool players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino, and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Van Dijk has had an impressive year under the management of Jurgen Klopp, and the former Chelsea star has thrown his weight behind him for the award ahead of two leading contenders Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I would give it to a Liverpool player. Mane, Salah or Van Djik deserve it," Hazard said.
Meanwhile, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has tipped Dutch defender van Dijk for the individual prize, describing Messi as the best player of his generation but positing that van Dijk deserves the award.
Van Dijk recently beat Messi and Ronaldo to UEFA's best men player of the year award after a remarkable calendar year for Liverpool.
Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe, however, has thrown his weight behind Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi for the prestigious Ballon d'Or 2019 award.
The Argentine faces stiff competition from his close rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool's centre-back Virgil van Dijk ahead of this year's award gala slated for December 2.
