Van Dijk’s Future Uncertain After Netherlands’ Euro ExitVan Dijk’s Future Uncertain After Netherlands’ Euro Exit Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands captain, is facing an uncertain future following his team’s disappointing exit from the European Championship semi-finals. Van Dijk, 33, has hinted that he will take time to consider his options for both club and country. He has just one season remaining on his contract at Liverpool and is weighing his future moves. “I have no idea yet,” Van Dijk stated. “I’m going to think carefully about what I want at club level and as an international this summer.” After a season marked by challenges, Van Dijk expressed disappointment at the team’s loss to England. He believed the Dutch had the potential to win the semi-final but conceded a late goal to Ollie Watkins. “It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the game and are now empty-handed,” Van Dijk said. “It’s just a bummer.” Van Dijk had been a key figure for the Netherlands throughout the tournament. His presence in defense and leadership on the pitch will be missed if he decides to step down from international duty.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk will spend the coming weeks considering his future for both club and country as he comes to terms with the disappointment of Wednesday’s European Championship semi-final exit, he said.
Van Dijk, who turned 33 on Monday, said he wants to think about his next career steps in the coming weeks after nine years and 75 caps for the Netherlands national team, with only one season left on his contract at Liverpool.
“I have no idea yet. I’m going to think carefully about what I want at club level and as an international this summer. Then we’ll get going again, but first I need to recover from this,” Van Dijk told reporters after England beat the Dutch 2-1 to advance to the final against Spain on Sunday.
“After such a season, in which all sorts of things have happened, it does get emotional at the end, because you know it’s over,” said Van Dijk, who felt the Dutch were well positioned to win the semi-final in the BVB Stadium.
“I felt especially in the second half that the result would go our way. But (Ollie) Watkins maybe got a bit too much space and he finished it well,” he added of the England substitute’s goal seconds into injury time.
“It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the game and are now empty-handed. You give it your all, everyone gives it their all and when the goal comes in the last minute, it’s just a bummer. Yeah… sorry.”
