Virgil van Dijk reveals how new boss Xavi saved his Netherlands career
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk admits a brief meeting with new coach Xavi convinced him to continue his international career following a difficult World Cup.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 at / Author: Ailura
Virgil van Dijk has admitted that his future with the Netherlands national team was hanging by a thread following a bruising World Cup campaign. The Liverpool defender felt the weight of intense public scrutiny and needed time away to process the disappointment.
However, the appointment of a new coaching staff provided the clarity he required. Van Dijk revealed that a face-to-face meeting with new boss Xavi was all it took to convince him to lead his country into the next cycle. "I needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach. After ten seconds it was already clear that I would continue," the defender explained.
The conversation centered on fundamental respect and appreciation rather than tactics. Van Dijk highlighted that Xavi reminded him of his stature and importance to the squad, which reinstated a necessary sense of trust and validation. He noted that while he never doubted his physical fitness, he felt a lack of appreciation from external sources.
The veteran centre-back also addressed the criticism regarding his role in the team's tactical failures at the World Cup. He dismissed narratives that he was responsible for tactical shifts or that he had somehow "broken" Dutch football alongside former manager Ronald Koeman.
Despite approaching a century of caps, Van Dijk insisted that milestones were not the driving force behind his decision. With 96 appearances for the Oranje, he remains focused on competing at the highest level while feeling supported and valued in his role.