Virgil van Dijk has become the focal point of intense debates regarding his future with the national team. The Liverpool captain is currently 35 years old, and by the time Euro 2028 takes place in the United Kingdom and Ireland, he will be 37.
As his playing career approaches its twilight, calls are growing louder in the Netherlands for van Dijk to retire from international duty. Alternatively, some suggest that new head coach Xavi Hernandez should make that decision on his behalf and begin rebuilding the squad with an eye on the future.
Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has observed that opinions among fans are evenly split on whether van Dijk should continue representing the national team.
Speaking to Comeon.com, the former Chelsea player and coach said, “I don’t know what Virgil van Dijk is feeling right now. There are heated discussions in the Netherlands about whether he should retire from the national team. Yes or no? Some think he should. Others say he shouldn’t. I believe the most important thing is to understand how Xavi feels about him, and much depends on how Virgil himself feels. If he believes he is still in good enough shape, then he should make the decision himself – it’s his choice.”
Should van Dijk decide to step away from international football, Liverpool would likely welcome the move, as it could extend his club career. His current contract with the Reds runs until next summer.
Gullit added, “I’m sure Liverpool would say ‘yes,’ but it wouldn’t be fair to him, because perhaps he feels capable of balancing both club and country duties. It all comes down to how he assesses his own abilities. We’ll see what happens during the international break, as I think Virgil and Xavi will definitely have a conversation. The coach even traveled specifically to watch van Dijk play. I’m curious to see what unfolds next.”
For now, Xavi is counting on van Dijk, having included him in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. They are expected to have discussions soon. The Netherlands will first host their long-time rivals Germany, followed by two matches against Serbia and an away game against Greece.
