Barcelona forward Lionel Messi took home the award for a record sixth time while Van Dijk and Ronaldo finished second and third respectively.
Ronaldo did not attend the awards ceremony on Monday, opting instead to show up at the 2019 Gran Gala del Calcio in Milan to receive his Serie A player of the year award.
Before the gala begun, Van Dijk was asked by Dutch TV station RTL7 whether Ronaldo’s absence would brighten his own chances of winning.
'Why? Was he a candidate?', came Van Dijk’s reply.
The Dutchman’s comments did not go down well with Katia, who went on to highlight his brother’s successes in England, Spain and Italy, including Ronaldo’s victories over Van Dijk in club and country games.
‘I think there are people living completely frustrated!!! And unrealistic… such humility!’ Katia wrote on Instagram.
‘It is well known that Ronaldo will not win tonight’s prize. Although I have won important collective titles … but this is another conversation and that up ahead we will see where the truth about football will come!!!
‘Now, dear Virgil, where you are going, Cristiano Ronaldo has gone and has come a thousand times.
‘You see, my dear Virgil, that Cristiano Ronaldo was a tri-champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven’t got your hand in the can.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and best scorer in the country where you play Virgil. By the way, I was even younger than you.
‘Then, dear Virgil, Cristiano Ronaldo went to other places and became the greatest player in the history of a clubezito.
‘Real Madrid, tell you something Virgil? Maybe so, because this club, with this Cristiano guy, even beat you in the Champions League final. Of these, Ronaldo already has five, Virgil.
‘And that fellow Ronaldo and team-mates, with the corners on his chest, crushed your “orange” in a final. Was it hard, Virgil? We have pity. And, dear Virgil, In one of the least successful times of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has won even more titles than you. Awesome, isn’t it?
‘Now Virgil will win titles from those who really count and then we’ll talk. When you have a handful of them, the really important ones, you might be able to sit at the table with Cristiano. Or as they say in our land, it grows and appears!
‘It’s for me Cristiano you are and you will always be the best player in the world!!! And who does not like to put it on the wheel of the plate!!! (as they say in our land, small for many) but where came the best ever.’
