Virgil van Dijk: "I'm proud to be in the World 11"

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says it’s a "great feeling" to be recognised by his fellow players after being voted into the FIFPRO Men's World 11 for a fourth time.

A record-breaking number of professional footballers voted for their 2024 men’s and women’s team of the year, with 28,322 votes coming from 70 countries. The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers.

Van Dijk was selected by his peers as one of three defenders in the Men’s World 11 alongside Real Madrid pair Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger.

Van Dijk told FIFPRO: "I’m proud to be in the FIFPRO World 11. It means a lot because it’s voted for by your peers and it’s always a great feeling to get recognition in that way.

"It means a little bit more [being recognised by fellow professionals]. You play against these guys and they can definitely feel what kind of qualities you have and how difficult you can make it for them. It’s always a great feeling to be voted in the FIFPRO World 11."

‘Ronaldinho was my idol’

The 2024 edition marks the fourth time Van Dijk has been voted into the World 11; the defender was selected in the 2019, 2020 and 2022 sides.

It means Van Dijk has now surpassed three-time winner Ronaldinho – who the Dutchman describes as "my idol when I was younger" – in all-time World 11 appearances.

"I tried to play like Ronaldinho a little bit when I was younger. I had some tekkers [technique] to be honest, but he played up front and I played at the back," said Van Dijk of the Brazilian.

"The joy he brought to the pitch and his qualities, goals, assists, tricks, enjoyment – a really, fantastic player."