Virgil Van Dijk's future with the Netherlands national team is becoming a hot topic among fans back home. According to Ruud Gullit, opinions are almost evenly divided regarding whether the 35-year-old Liverpool captain should extend his international career.
With Van Dijk approaching 37 by the time Euro 2028 rolls around, a segment of the supporters believes it’s high time for the national team to begin a transition phase without him. On the flip side, many are adamant that Van Dijk still has much to offer the Oranje.
Gullit shared his insights:
I’m not sure how Virgil is feeling these days. There’s a massive debate in the Netherlands on whether he should retire from international football. Some say yes, others no.
The key thing is to understand what Xavi thinks and how Virgil feels about his form. If he believes he’s still in good shape, then the decision should lie with him.
The legendary Dutchman suggested that Liverpool would probably be open to Van Dijk stepping away from international duty, as it could ease the burden on the defender:
I’m sure Liverpool would say yes to that, but it would be unfair to him. Perhaps he still thinks he can balance club and country. It all depends on how he perceives his contribution to the team.
We’ll have to wait for the international break. I think Virgil and Xavi will have a chat. Xavi has been watching Van Dijk closely, and I’m quite curious about what happens next.
New Netherlands manager Xavi continues to include Van Dijk in his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, and discussions about the defender's future in the national setup are expected soon.
Xavi took over from Ronald Koeman, who departed after the defeat to Morocco in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. This marks Xavi's first role since leaving Barcelona in 2024.
