Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk admitted he was too ’emotional’ when he suggested that his career might come to an end.
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What did he say last July?
The 33-year-old is approaching the end of his contract this season in Liverpool, and he is one of the top free agents who will be available next summer.
The defender said last July that he would “think carefully” about his future after the Netherlands lost to England in the semi-finals of EURO 2024.
“After such a season, where all sorts of things happened and also such a tournament where all sorts of things happened, where I myself also got all sorts of things thrown at me, then this just hurts,” he said.
“I do everything to win and then it gets emotional at the end, because you know it’s over. I have no idea at the moment [about my future]. I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international. Then we will go for it again, but first recover from this.”
Van Dijk admits being “emotional”
However, Van Dijk said after the Netherlands’ 5-2 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League that he was too ’emotional’ when he made those comments last July.
The Dutch added that he will never “give up for the Oranje.”
In addition, Van Dijk remains optimistic about his club and international future.
“I understood that it was unclear how I felt about it,” Van Dijk said. “I was of course very disappointed after the match, then you are full of emotion.”
“It may have seemed at the time that it could have been my last international match. But I am a warrior and a fighter and I will never just give up for the Oranje.”
“Ultimately, you have to look at your own abilities and assess whether you are still important enough. I most certainly am. On the field and off it.”
“I am the captain of Liverpool, a consistent factor and I feel excellent physically while I am improving on the ball too. I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough.”
