By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 13:03 EST, 9 January 2026 | Updated: 13:03 EST, 9 January 2026
Virgil van Dijk has reassured Liverpool and Netherlands fans he has no plans to retire anytime soon after being questioned on his future in an interview with Vogue magazine on Friday.
The Dutchman, 34, has established himself as one of the Premier League's greatest ever defenders during his fruitful eights years at Liverpool, where he is under contract until the end of next season.
In that time, Van Dijk, who has captained Liverpool since Jordan Henderson's exit in July 2023, has helped steer the Reds to success under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, winning two Premier League titles, three domestic trophies and a Champions League since his arrival at Anfield.
While few Liverpool fans are sweating over his long-term future at the club, with Van Dijk having committed himself to Anfield in a new deal last season, speculation that he may retire from football internationally has been a talking point in the Netherlands.
After the Netherlands beat Lithuania 3-2 last month to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup, rumours began circulating that Van Dijk might soon call time on his international career.
Rubbishing the claims, Van Dijk said in an interview with British Vogue: 'I never said that. I don’t look too far ahead.
Virgil van Dijk rubbished talk of retirement as he posed for an interview with Vogue this week
The Liverpool captain, 34, is out of contract at the end of next season but has no plans to retire
'There’s still years in my career so I literally have no idea. As long as I’m happy and the kids are happy, it’s cool.'
Van Dijk posed for a series of photographs with the fashion magazine, modelling multiple different outfits in monochrome and coloured images.
Asked if he would consider modelling on the runaway in a Milan or Paris fashion show after his retirement, the footballer replied: 'I mean, never say never.'
Despite his wealth of success with Liverpool over the last eight years, Van Dijk has been enduring his most difficult season as captain in what has been a disappointing Premier League title defence so far.
His Reds side, who sit fourth in the table and 14 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, have struggled to replicate the same form they displayed last campaign, despite splashing out over £450million on new recruits in the summer.
Van Dijk told Vogue that being a father helps him navigate the immense highs and crushing lows of top flight football, sharing four children with his wife of nine years, Rike Nooitgedagt.
'So many things in life are more important than what we do,' he explained. 'When it’s game time, I’m more than all in – I’m fully focused on the task – but win or lose, I go home and it’s back to dad.'
Following Thursday's 0-0 stalemate with Arsenal, Van Dijk's next test comes in the FA Cup against Barnsley at Anfield, where he may be given a rare rest after the busy festive schedule.
Asked if he would consider doing fashion shows after retiring, Van Dijk said: 'Never say never'
Van Dijk admitted that being a father helps him navigate the highs and lows of top flight football
Liverpool then host Burnley on January 17 before taking on Marseille three days later in the Champions League, a crucial match given Slot's men sit just outside the automatic qualification places on goal difference.
See the full feature in the February issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 20th January.