Van Dijk named UEFA Player of the Year

 Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award on Thursday, edging out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Lucy Bronze took the women's prize.

Dutchman Van Dijk starred as Liverpool won their sixth European Cup last season with a 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham in Madrid.

Full-back Bronze won the Women's Champions League title with Lyon before helping England reach the women's World Cup semi-finals.