Van Dijk hints at Netherlands future but demands respect before committing to Xavi era

Virgil van Dijk has signalled he is open to continuing his international career but says a conversation with new Netherlands manager Xavi will be decisive, with the Liverpool captain insisting he needs to feel “appreciated, loved and important” before committing.

The 35-year-old centre-back has earned 96 caps for the Netherlands — four short of becoming the 11th player to reach a century for the national side — and captained the team through two World Cups and Euro 2024, where they reached the semi-finals. Xavi, the former Barcelona midfielder and manager, was recently appointed to replace Ronald Koeman, who first handed Van Dijk the captaincy back in 2018.

“I will have that meeting with the new manager first. Let’s see,” Van Dijk said. “It’s also a little bit down to that conversation. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, loved and important. I feel like I’m still very much valuable and important for the team. If the manager sees it that way then we’re going to have another good two years. If not then we will see.”

Van Dijk was also keen to dismiss the idea that stepping away from international football would benefit his club form. “Not at all,” he said. “Some players do but not me. With anything you do, you want to feel respected, loved and appreciated for your work and the quality that you bring. Let’s see if that’s still the case and then we’ll go from there.”

The defender played more than 6,000 minutes across Liverpool and Netherlands duty last season, suggesting his fitness and availability are not the concern — the dynamic with the new coaching staff is. Should Van Dijk continue through to Euro 2028, he would be 37 by the time that tournament concludes, making the next two years a likely final chapter in his international career regardless of the outcome of his talks with Xavi.