Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk hit a huge milestone during the international break with the Netherlands, with the defender revealing his emotions after the match
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands during the UEFA Nations League match between the Netherlands and Serbia
Virgil van Dijk made his 100th appearance for the Netherlands during the international break(Image: (Photo by ANP via Getty Images))
Virgil van Dijk admitted he was emotional after reaching 100 appearances for the Netherlands over the weekend, featuring in the side's meeting with Serbia in the UEFA Nations League.
The defender started the match, being given the honor of walking out with his son to mark the special occasion, while he was also presented with a special jersey that had the number 100 on the front and back.
While it was a moment for celebration and reflection, there was a job to do on the field first. The Netherlands took the lead on the night through a Teun Koopmeiners free-kick, which Van Dijk played a role in by dummying across the face of the goal, allowing the ball to pass all the way through to the back of the net.
Serbia quickly equalized, drawing level on the night through Mihajlo Cvetkovic, but the Oranje asserted dominance again when Joshua Zirkzee found the back of the net.
While chances followed for the visitors, Van Dijk and the Netherlands held on for an important win, which established the team at the top of its competitive UEFA Nations League group with two wins and two draws from the opening four matches.
There is still plenty of work to do, but the Liverpool and Netherlands captain can now finally take some time to reflect on the international break and the achievement he managed by becoming just the 11th centurion in the nation's history.
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Speaking to NOS after the game, via AD, Van Dijk discussed reaching 100 caps, and said: "I am very grateful. To the squad, the staff, and the staff members I have worked with in the past.
"And ultimately, I am most grateful for my family. They were here tonight too. A special evening and a beautiful milestone. Certainly something I am very proud of.”
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands wearing a shirt showing the number 100 of international matches he has played for the Netherlands so far during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A2 MD4 match between Netherlands and Serbia
Virgil van Dijk made his 100th appearance for the Netherlands national team(Image: (Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images))
“Just now in the dressing room, I was having a pretty hard time," Van Dijk continued. "I have to say, I am quite emotional. Especially at moments like this; that is really difficult. But I am so grateful. It was a beautiful evening.”
While there were suggestions that a possible retirement from international soccer could have followed in the summer, the 35-year-old has made it clear that he doesn't want to stop with just 100 appearances to his name.
He added: "For me, it won't stop at one hundred. It is something I never dared to dream of; it felt way too far away to even think about when I was young.
“I got the maximum out of it. Unfortunately, I missed another year [due to his cruciate ligament injury], otherwise I might have been able to come close to Wesley [Sneijder's record]. But I am proud and happy."
Van Dijk returns to Liverpool with that landmark now on his record, but with the hope that he can continue to extend his career to keep knocking down the records and milestones as he goes.