Lionel Messi's mother Celia has said the Barcelona player expected Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or.

Messi beat Virgil van Dijk to the 2019 Ballon d'Or by just seven votes to claim a record sixth award, one more than rival Cristiano Ronaldo who finished third.

In an interview with CNN radio, Messi's mother said: "I am very happy. We were not expecting this.

"We thought the fifth had been the last. Honestly, this was a beautiful surprise. He (Messi) did not expect it either.

"I do not know if he found out minutes before, I do not know, but we did not know anything."

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Messi scored 51 goals for Barcelona last season and won La Liga, while Van Dijk spearheaded Liverpool's charge to their sixth Champions League title.

https://sportinglife.ng/ballon-dor-it-was-a-surprise-gift-to-my-son-says-messis-mum/