After finishing runner-up for the Best FIFA Men's Player award, the defender said he could not be compared to the Barcelona star.
"The people who vote made a decision and you have to accept it," Van Dijk told reporters.
"That's just the case and as players you can't compare me and Messi because it's totally different.
"I'm very proud to be here."
And while Van Dijk, named in the FIFA World X despite missing out on the big award, said there was no disappointment when it came to Messi's victory.
"Disappointed? You can't be disappointed," he said.
"I'm just very happy to be here, to be in the team of the year, after the hard work and the good work we put in last year.
"Today, I, unfortunately, didn't win but I'm not disappointed."