Virgil van Dijk has revealed his intention to play in the 2026 World Cup, despite previously suggesting he might retire from international football.
The Liverpool captain earned his 75th international cap as the Netherlands defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 on Saturday night.
Van Dijk, who also serves as captain of the Dutch national team, made his first appearance since the Netherlands’ heartbreaking last-minute loss to England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals in July.
Following their elimination, the 33-year-old, whose contract with Liverpool expires next summer, had hinted at considering his future with both club and country during an emotional post-match interview.
He had faced criticism back home throughout the tournament.
“After such a season, where all sorts of things happened and also such a tournament where all sorts of things happened, where I myself also got all sorts of things thrown at me, then this just hurts,” he admitted to reporters at the time.
“I do everything to win and then it gets emotional at the end, because you know it’s over.
“I have no idea at the moment (about my future).
“I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international.
“Then we will go for it again, but first recover from this.”
Virgil van Dijk has now acknowledged that his emotions may have influenced his actions and has issued a defiant message to his critics, vowing to extend his international career.
“I understood that it was unclear how I felt about it (his international future),” he conceded after beating Bosnia.
“I was of course very disappointed after the match, then you are full of emotion.
“It may have seemed at the time that it could have been my last international match.
“But I am a warrior and a fighter and I will never just give up for Oranje.
“Ultimately, you have to look at your own abilities and assess whether you are still important enough.
“I most certainly am. On the field and off it.
“I am the captain of Liverpool, a consistent factor and I feel excellent physically while I am improving on the ball too.
“I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough.”
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