Virgil van Dijk has etched his name into Dutch football history after captaining the Netherlands for a record 72nd time.
Following the 4–0 victory over Lithuania that sealed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the Liverpool captain was presented with a framed commemorative picture to honour his milestone achievement.
Inside the dressing room, the 34-year-old delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech—one that perfectly reflected the commanding presence he brings to Liverpool’s dressing room as well.
He addressed the squad, saying:
“First of all, I want to thank everyone here—the players, the staff, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.
I’m proud to wear the armband for Oranje and to lead you every single time. I’m already looking forward to the tournament and to achieving something special together.
March will be our first step toward that journey. I’m proud of all of you—this is an incredible group with immense quality. Let’s keep pushing for success together.”
As he spoke, Cody Gakpo stood behind him recording the moment, capturing the genuine admiration between two of Liverpool’s key figures and offering a rare look at the chemistry within the Dutch camp.
Moments like this are uncommon, but they underline the respect and authority Van Dijk commands—both for club and country.
This comes just weeks after his strong message in Liverpool’s official match programme, where he urged every player to “stand up and be counted.” His latest words in Amsterdam were a continuation of that same winning mentality and leadership.
Van Dijk also hinted that this summer might mark his final international tournament, though it remains unclear whether he plans to retire from international duty immediately afterwards.
If he does decide to step away from the national team, it could ultimately extend his already illustrious Anfield career—another silver lining for Liverpool supporters.
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