Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is set to make his 100th appearance for his country, with Netherlands boss Xavi paying tribute to the defender ahead of the milestone
Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Nations League match between Greece and the Netherlands at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, on October 1, 2026. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk is set to make his 100 appearance for the Netherlands(Image: Getty Images)
Xavi has paid tribute to Virgil van Dijk as the Liverpool captain is set to earn his 100th cap for his country.
Van Dijk sits on 99 appearances for the Netherlands, and will be expected to bring up his century when the Dutch take on Serbia on Sunday. The 35-year-old will become the 11th player in his nation’s history to reach the milestone should he play in Eindhoven later.
It promises to be a momentous occasion for the Reds’ influential skipper, not least because it wasn’t guaranteed that he would even carry on leading his national side following its early exit from the summer’s World Cup.
Having come to a quick decision after speaking to his new manager though, Van Dijk will become the latest Liverpool legend to join the 100 club, just a day after Andy Robertson brought up the same feat for Scotland.
“It is an emotional day for him too. I am so happy for him,” Xavi told reporters on Saturday (as per Voetbal International). “And I am happy to be working with him. He is a true leader. Just like Denzel Dumfries, by the way.
“Virgil reaches 100 caps. Something like that is an incredible achievement. We will put him in the spotlight after the match. Then the congratulations will come. Virgil is an absolute leader. I appreciate him very much.”
Coach Xavi Hernandez of Holland, Virgil van Dijk of Holland during the Training MenPress Conference Holland at the KNVB Campus
Xavi has paid tribute to Virgil van Dijk ahead of his 100th cap for the Netherlands(Image: Getty)
Van Dijk already holds the record for captaining his country more than anyone else in the Netherlands’ history, having done so a staggering 83 times out of his 99 caps so far.
Despite that impressive record, the defender has been somewhat at odds with his own nation’s media recently, having angrily hit back at suggestions that he influenced former manager Ronald Koeman to switch to a back five at the World Cup ahead of the last-32 defeat to Morocco.
For now though, all the focus is on Van Dijk’s upcoming milestone, which he has insisted was not behind his decision to continue playing for his country.
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"Of course, I am aware that not many players reach more than 100 caps,” Van Dijk said last week. “That makes me happy just thinking about it.
“But ultimately, that was not the deciding factor. I made the decision by taking a rest, spending time with my family, discussing it with those close to me, and finally having a conversation with the national coach."
Van Dijk added: "I needed a well-deserved holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach. After 10 seconds, I already knew I could continue. That was just a very good meeting.
"It's about trust and appreciation, and he said I could be important to the team. Physically, there is no doubt [I can continue], but I also want to keep having fun and feel the appreciation, and that is certainly there."