Virgil van Dijk outlines future and delivers verdict on Dutch football return | OneFootball

VVD Retirement Talk Dismissed as Reds Skipper Eyes Long-Term Legacy

Redefining Longevity at the Elite Level

Soon to turn 34, Virgil van Dijk is showing no signs of winding down. After captaining Liverpool to a Premier League title last season, the Dutchman’s recent two-year contract extension speaks volumes about the club’s trust in his enduring brilliance. More than sentiment, it is a commitment rooted in performance.

Van Dijk featured in 37 league games during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring three goals, helping secure 14 clean sheets, and recording a league-high 221 clearances. These are not the numbers of a player edging towards retirement. These are the metrics of a leader still at the peak of his powers.

Photo IMAGO

Relentless Standards and Personal Investment

Much like Thiago Silva’s Indian summer at Chelsea, van Dijk is redefining the twilight years of a centre-back’s career. But his consistency is no accident. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, van Dijk pulled back the curtain on the private team that keeps him sharp.

“[I have] a little team around me. A chef. Fitness coach. Obviously, massage, treatment. Those are the main things, basically. Obviously, it’s very important and I think it really benefits me. It’s, for me, very normal, but obviously, it costs a lot of work.”

These are the fine margins. It is clear that van Dijk is preparing for more than just two final years. He is laying the groundwork for a graceful, elite-level farewell, with the club still at the heart of his ambitions.

No Return to the Eredivisie

As whispers grow of romantic goodbyes in Dutch football, van Dijk was unequivocal in shutting them down during international duty. Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, the centre-back was firm in his stance.

“No, unfortunately not.”

“I’m very clear about that: I’m not coming back to the Netherlands. I started here and that has been very important to me. I am very clear that I do not want to return to the Eredivisie,” he asserted.

“I’m quite proud of my career so far and I don’t think finishing in the Eredivisie will be added to that.”

Focused on Finishing at the Summit

For van Dijk, the narrative is clear. His ambitions are aligned with Liverpool’s, and the focus remains on lifting silverware, not nostalgia. In the manner of Toni Kroos bowing out as a Champions League winner, van Dijk appears determined to script his own elite finale.

Reds supporters, reading between the lines, can take heart. Van Dijk’s journey still has chapters to write. Retirement may be on the horizon, but it won’t come at the cost of ambition.