Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted he was too ’emotional’ when suggesting his careers for membership and nation may very well be coming to an finish.
The defender insisted he would ‘think twice’ about his future after the Netherlands’ last-gasp defeat to England within the semi-finals of Euro 2024, which got here simply after he misplaced the Premier League title race with the Reds.
Van Dijk stated in July: “After such a season, the place all types of issues occurred and in addition such a match the place all types of issues occurred, the place I actually additionally received all types of issues thrown at me, then this simply hurts.
“I do all the pieces to win after which it will get emotional on the finish, as a result of you understand it is over. I don’t know for the time being [about my future]. I’ll think twice this summer season about what I need at membership degree and as a world. Then we are going to go for it once more, however first get well from this.”
Nevertheless, following the Netherlands’ 5-2 win towards Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday evening, Van Dijk informed reporters he’s a ‘fighter’ and is decided to lengthen his spell on the high degree.
“I understood that it was unclear how I felt about it,” Van Dijk stated of his earlier feedback round his worldwide future. “I used to be after all very disillusioned after the match, then you might be filled with emotion.
“It might have appeared on the time that it might have been my final worldwide match. However I’m a warrior and a fighter and I’ll by no means simply quit for the Oranje.
“Finally, it’s important to have a look at your personal talents and assess whether or not you might be nonetheless necessary sufficient. I most actually am. On the sphere and off it.
“I’m the captain of Liverpool, a constant issue and I really feel glorious bodily whereas I’m enhancing on the ball too. I wish to play one other World Cup. I do know I’m nonetheless greater than ok.”
Although there’s some readability over his place within the Netherlands squad, Van Dijk’s Liverpool future stays unresolved along with his contract up in 2025.
