Van Dijk: It’s a boyhood dream to represent your country in the World Cup

Virgil van Dijk reveals his pride at leading the Netherlands at Qatar 2022:

- It was a huge disappointment to miss out of the last World Cup. It was a very difficult time for me and for all the Dutch people. So it feels amazing to finally be going to the World Cup. It’s a boyhood dream to represent your country in the World Cup. In my case it’s extra special because I get to captain the team. I hope we can achieve something special.

I don’t think I can put into words how proud it makes me to captain my country, because it’s so special to me. For me, as a young boy, I didn’t even think about playing for the Dutch national team one day. It was a dream, but I never thought it was realistic. So to make my debut for the national team in 2015 was very special, but to be made captain when Ronald Koeman was our coach was extra special. It’s something that I enjoy so much and try not to take for granted.