Virgil van Dijk will holds talks with his manager during the international break
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has been named in the Netherlands squad(Image: Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk is at the centre of a "huge" debate over his future in international football. The Liverpool captain, 35, will turn 37 during Euro 2028, which will be staged in the UK and Ireland.
As he enters the twilight of his career, there are widespread calls in the Netherlands for him to quit the national side or for new manager Xavi Hernandez to make the decision for him and build for the future.
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit says there is a 50/50 split between Dutch fans over whether he should extend his international career. The former Chelsea player and manager told Comeon.com: "I don't know how Virgil Van Dijk is feeling at the moment.
"There is a huge debate in Holland over whether he should retire. Yes or no? Some people think that he should.
"Others say that he shouldn't. I think it’s most important to see how Xavi feels about him and it depends on how Virgil feels about it. If he still feels fit enough, then he should make his decision about it, and that's up to him."
If Van Dijk does step away from the international scene, it would presumably be welcomed by Liverpool and potentially extend his club career. His current contract with the Reds expires next summer.
Gullit added: "I'm sure that Liverpool would say yes but that's not fair to him because maybe he thinks he can still do both. And it comes back to how he feels about what he can offer.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk's international future is in doubt(Image: Getty Images)
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"We will have to wait and see what happens in the international break because I think Virgil and Xavi will have had a conversation. He went to watch Van Dijk. I'm curious to see what’s going to happen too."
Xavi is sticking with Van Dijk for now after naming him in his squad for the upcoming round of Nations League games, with the pair due to hold talks. The Netherlands face old rivals Germany at home first before taking on Serbia twice and Greece away.
Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez
Xavi has a big decision to make over Van Dijk's future(Image: Getty Images)
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He replaced Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the last-32 defeat by Morocco at this summer's World Cup. Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and lifted the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Xavi's appointment marked his first return to management since leaving Barcelona in 2024. After beginning his managerial career with Qatari club Al Sadd, he took over the Catalan giants in November 2021, also succeeding Koeman, and led the team to the La Liga title in 2023.
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