Van Dijk to Stay on as Netherlands Captain

Virgil van Dijk will remain captain of the Netherlands for the next two years, Xavi Hernández confirmed after a conversation with the Liverpool defender persuaded him to stay on with the national side.

"Virgil van Dijk will remain captain of the Netherlands for the next two years. I had a very good conversation with him. He is a leader. He is positive and full of enthusiasm about the new project. I saw no reason not to call up Virgil," Xavi said at a press conference.

Van Dijk had been reported ready to step away from international football before the talk with the new head coach changed his mind.

"I made a very important decision. During the conversation with Xavi, it was important for me to feel confidence, as well as respect and joy — everything I wanted. That is exactly what I felt from the first second, so a long conversation was not needed. But it turned into a good talk. I am looking forward to the next one. Let us make sure the next two years turn out to be brilliant," van Dijk said.

The 35-year-old has been at Liverpool since September 2020 and has scored 21 goals for the club. He leads a Netherlands side top of their World Cup qualifying group with 7 points from 3 matches, with Cody Gakpo on 5 goals, Brian Brobbey on 3 and Crysencio Summerville on 2.

The Netherlands open their Nations League campaign against Germany on 24 September, kicking off at 21:45 Moscow time. Xavi's squad then face Serbia on 27 September and 4 October, and Greece on 1 October.

Keeping van Dijk as captain gives Xavi continuity in defence heading into that run of fixtures, with the leadership question settled before a week that includes three matches in eight days.