Virgil van Dijk has insisted he has no plans to slow down after the Liverpool captain won his 100th cap for the Netherlands on Sunday. The 35-year-old, who is inside the final 12 months of his Anfield contract, said he is not yet ready to wind down his career.
Van Dijk skippered Oranje to a 2-1 win over Serbia on an emotional evening that started with him taking to the field with his young son as a mascot. Goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Teun Koopmeiners secured the win for Xavi's side, despite a strike from Mihajlo Cvetkovic. Before kick-off, Van Dijk was presented with a golden bowl and a commemorative shirt from the Dutch FA to mark the milestone.
Gratitude and pride after milestone night
Speaking to NOS after the match, Van Dijk paid tribute to those who helped him reach the landmark. "I am very grateful. To the group, the staff, the staff members with whom I have worked in the past," he said. "And in the end, I am most grateful for my family. They were there tonight too. A special evening and a great milestone. Definitely something I'm very proud of."
He added: "For me, it doesn't stop at 100. It's something I never dared to dream, it felt way too far away to even think about when I was young. I got the most out of [my career]. Unfortunately, I missed another year (due to knee injury in 2020) otherwise I might have been able to come close to Wesley Sneijder (134 caps). But I am proud and happy."
No looking too far ahead
Van Dijk, who was appointed Liverpool skipper in 2023, said he is not someone who looks too far ahead. "You have to take very good care of yourself and do everything you can to be there every time. I feel like I'm in a good position now, so I just have to keep going," he said.
"Playing football is the most fun there is. I understand that people look at age in our sport. When things are going well, they say: 'Oh how good for your age.' And otherwise you are an old man. I just have to make sure that I perform as well as possible for the team, on and off the field."
Reflecting on the evening, he said: "What did I like best about tonight? That my family was there. Coming up with my son. And winning of course. Because you just want to win. Period. You don't want to end your 100th on a low note."
Xavi's praise for the defender
Van Dijk added: "Of course it's special. I am proud and grateful. 100 international matches is not for everyone. I never had that as a realistic goal. Not because I didn't believe in myself, but I'm someone who doesn't look too far ahead. But of course I'm not going to stop now. Especially when you look at how things are going and what we can do even better. I can have a nice part in that, I think."
Barcelona legend Xavi, who replaced Ronald Koeman as Dutch boss after the World Cup in the summer, said: "I have just let it be known in the dressing room that I am extremely proud of Virgil. He is an example. He has done very well, for himself and for the team. He is a real leader, I am proud to be his coach."
