Virgil van Dijk has revealed that a brief meeting with new Netherlands head coach Xavi was enough to convince him to continue his international career after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Liverpool captain had been considering his future with the Dutch national team following the Netherlands’ disappointing early exit from the World Cup. Van Dijk said he wanted to take time with his family before discussing his future with the new coach.
That conversation with Xavi ultimately lasted only moments before Van Dijk knew he wanted to continue.
“I needed a well-deserved holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach. After 10 seconds, I already knew I could continue.”
Asked why the decision came so quickly, the 35-year-old defender explained that Xavi’s message was straightforward. “Because he told me I was Virgil van Dijk.”
Van Dijk said the discussion centred on trust, appreciation and his importance to the Netherlands, rather than simply his physical ability to continue playing at international level.
“It’s about trust and appreciation, and he said I could be important to the team.”
He added that while there had never been significant doubt about his physical capacity to continue, feeling valued remained important.
“Physically, there is no doubt [I can continue], but I also want to keep having fun and feel the appreciation, and that is certainly there.”
Xavi Makes Van Dijk Captain
Xavi, appointed Netherlands head coach in August after Ronald Koeman’s departure, subsequently included Van Dijk in his first 26-man squad and confirmed that the Liverpool defender would remain captain.
The former Barcelona midfielder personally travelled to Liverpool to meet Van Dijk before making his decision. Xavi described the meeting as positive and said the defender had been honest about his thoughts regarding the national team.
Van Dijk’s decision means he remains part of the Netherlands’ plans for the new international cycle, with the defender now approaching the milestone of 100 caps. He currently has 96 international appearances.
The decision comes after a difficult World Cup campaign for the Netherlands. Oranje topped their group but were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32 following a 1-1 draw. The result brought an early end to Koeman’s tenure and prompted the KNVB to appoint Xavi on a contract running through the 2030 World Cup.
A New Chapter Under Xavi
Van Dijk’s continued presence gives Xavi an experienced leader as he begins reshaping the Netherlands. The new coach has spoken about establishing an energetic, intense and cohesive team, while maintaining Van Dijk as a central figure in the squad.
For Van Dijk, however, the decision to continue was ultimately personal.
A conversation that lasted barely 10 seconds provided the reassurance he needed. Xavi did not need to convince Van Dijk with a long tactical presentation or elaborate promises. His message was simply that the Netherlands still needed — and valued — Virgil van Dijk.
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