Netherlands legend Virgil van Dijk joins elite 100-cap club
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has reached the milestone of 100 international caps for the Netherlands, cementing his status as a national icon.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 at / Author: Ailura
Virgil van Dijk has cemented his place among the legends of Dutch football by earning his 100th international cap against Serbia at the Philips Stadion. The Liverpool captain joins an illustrious group of centurions, including Wesley Sneijder, Edwin van der Sar, and Frank de Boer.
The journey to this landmark began on October 10, 2015, during a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Kazakhstan. Since then, the defender has become a central figure for the Oranje, scoring 14 goals and providing defensive stability across multiple major tournaments, including the 2019 Nations League final and the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
It could be an emotional day for Virgil. 100 caps is an incredible achievement. He is a true leader who continues to set the standard for the next generation of Dutch talent. Xavi
Head coach Xavi praised the defender's influence on the team, though the focus remains on the current Nations League campaign. The Netherlands are currently chasing Greece in Group A2, with Van Dijk urging his teammates to improve defensive solidity, as the side has struggled to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.
This achievement mirrors the recent milestone of his former Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson, who also earned his 100th cap for Scotland just a day earlier. Despite individual accolades, Van Dijk remains focused on the immediate task of securing points in a tight qualifying group.