Virgil van Dijk will captain the Netherlands against Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday. A few weeks ago, his place in the national team was in doubt.
The Liverpool captain has 96 caps for his country. There was speculation that he could retire from international duty after the World Cup, but he wanted to continue. He said last month he was considering his international future after Ronald Koeman’s departure.
Koeman resigned on Tuesday 30 June. The Netherlands had lost on penalties to Morocco in the round of 32 at the World Cup.
The decision to continue was not straightforward. Van Dijk called it a “massive decision” but said conversations with new head coach Xavi reassured him.
According to Dutch outlet AD, Van Dijk hit back hard in Zeist, where he previewed the home match against Germany alongside Xavi.
“It was said that Ronald Koeman and I destroyed Dutch football, but that goes much too far,” he said.
Van Dijk said he first needed a holiday with his family. After a meeting with Xavi, he knew within ten seconds that he would continue.
Asked what Xavi said, he answered: “That I am Virgil van Dijk.” He then declined to say more, calling it a good meeting. Physically, he said, there was no problem.
On the World Cup, Van Dijk said the team did not do well enough. He added that hindsight makes it easy to say what should or should not have been done.
He rejected a claim about the tactics against Morocco.
“A journalist said it was my idea to play with five men at the back,” he said. “That is complete nonsense; the tactical plan is not up to me.”
He said false claims were spread to make him look worse than he already did. Asked whether he could have resisted that style of play, he replied irritably that he may have, but that there was no point raising it now.
Van Dijk said the staff sets a plan and the players follow it. He said the approach almost worked until Issa Diop equalised in the last minute. Cody Gakpo had put the Netherlands ahead before that goal.
Xavi has said his side will use formations such as 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 rather than five at the back.
The Netherlands play four matches in this international window. If Van Dijk plays them all, he will reach 100 caps.
Thursday’s match has a strong Liverpool link. Jurgen Klopp makes his debut as Germany coach, having replaced Julian Nagelsmann.
Van Dijk played under Klopp at Liverpool for six years, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
Van Dijk said it will be nice to see Klopp again. He hopes the Netherlands can make sure his former manager loses his first game as Germany coach.
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