Liverpool stalwart Virgil van Dijk has admitted he never expected to be in the running to win the Ballon d'Or when he signed for the Reds.
The 28-year-old defender is now highly regarded as one of the world's best, and is the bookmakers favourite to become the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or since 2006.
Speaking to Pro:Direct Soccer , Van Dijk said: "Well, I think the Ballon d'Or is something for, I don't know, I wouldn't picture myself [winning the Ballon d'Or] when I made the transfer to Liverpool.
"But everyone can have their opinion, everyone can say whatever they want. But obviously when people are talking about it obviously I am doing something well.
"The only thing I can do is just keep working hard. Keep doing what I am doing, keep progressing and if you get recognition for it then amazing.
"But if not then at the end of the day you do it for you and your team and the family and the club. That's the most important [thing]."