Virgil van Dijk, Dutch football player, is currently one of the best central defenders in the world. He was born on July 8, 1991 in Breda, Netherlands. With a height of 1m93, muscular body and outstanding defensive ability, Van Dijk has become the defensive symbol of both Liverpool Club and the Dutch national team. Van Dijk’s journey to becoming one of the top centre-backs is a story of extraordinary effort, talent and will. Let’s learn about this player with luongsontv through the article below.
Virgil Van Dijk’s Early Days
The beginning of a classy midfielder
Van Dijk was not born into a family with a football tradition, but he soon showed his passion for the ball. However, the road to the top of his career was not smooth. As a child, Van Dijk faced many health challenges, including a serious illness, which once put his football career in jeopardy.
Starting his football career at Willem II’s youth team, Van Dijk went through difficult times when he was not highly appreciated for his physical strength and technique. However, his perseverance and determination helped him gradually develop and affirm his talent. In 2011, he officially joined the professional football team Groningen in the Netherlands, where he began to build his reputation.
Career At Celtic And Breakthrough At Southampton
In 2013, Van Dijk moved to Scotland to play for Celtic Club. This is an important turning point in his career. Here, Van Dijk quickly became the mainstay of Celtic’s defense. With strong defensive abilities, excellent heading and not afraid to get involved in attacking situations, he helped Celtic win many domestic titles, including the Scottish Premiership championship.
After two impressive seasons at Celtic, Van Dijk moved to England to play for Southampton in 2015 for a transfer price of about £13 million. At Southampton, he not only continued to develop his excellent defensive abilities but also developed his leadership skills on the field. This helps Van Dijk become one of the most sought after centre-backs in the Premier League.
Peak of Career at Liverpool
In the winter of 2018, Liverpool broke the transfer record for a defender when they spent £75 million to recruit Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. This is one of the deals that is considered to completely change Liverpool’s defense. Van Dijk immediately made a big impact on the team and helped Liverpool become one of the teams with the strongest defenses in Europe.
At Liverpool, Van Dijk quickly asserted his position as the best centre-back in the world. He is not only strong in aerial combat but also has the ability to pass the ball accurately from the back, which helps Liverpool develop attacks from the back. Van Dijk became the heart of the defense and the spiritual leader on the field.
In the 2018-2019 season, Van Dijk helped Liverpool reach the UEFA Champions League final and win the championship by defeating Tottenham 2-0. This was Liverpool’s first European title in many years, and Van Dijk played a key role in this glorious journey. In addition, he also helped Liverpool win the Premier League championship in the 2019-2020 season, the first time after 30 years of waiting. Van Dijk contributed greatly to this success when Liverpool had a season with solid defense and impressive performance.
Role in the Dutch National Team
Not only does Van Dijk shine at the club level, he is also the irreplaceable leader of the Dutch national team. He debuted for the Dutch team in 2015 and quickly became one of the team’s most important players. As a central defender, Van Dijk helps the Dutch team build a stronger and more stable defense system.
In 2018, Van Dijk was awarded the captaincy of the Dutch team by coach Ronald Koeman. Under his leadership, the Dutch team has improved significantly, especially in major tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League and Euro qualifiers. Van Dijk is not only a spiritual leader but also an important fulcrum in the Dutch defensive play.
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Virgil Van Dijk’s Playing Style
His resilient playing style
Virgil van Dijk stands out with his modern defensive playing style. He not only possesses outstanding height but also has impressive speed and good ball handling ability. Van Dijk’s aerial ability is one of his strongest points, helping him become a dangerous threat in the team’s set situations. In addition, he also has the ability to read the game well, make accurate judgments and make timely decisions to prevent his opponent’s attacks.
Van Dijk is also a player capable of passing the ball long and launching attacks from behind. This ability helps him not only contribute to protecting the goal but also actively support the home team’s attack. He often participates in build-up play from the defense, which makes Van Dijk a comprehensive centre-back.
Personal Achievements And Honors
Van Dijk has won many individual and collective titles during his career. Some notable awards and honors that Van Dijk has achieved include:
- UEFA Best Player of the 2018-2019 season: This is a worthy reward for his impressive performances in a Liverpool shirt.
- Premier League best player 2018-2019: Van Dijk was recognized as the best player of the tournament, a testament to his influence in the Premier League.
- Entered the typical squad of FIFA FIFPro World XI: Van Dijk has been voted into the best team in the world many times.
- Champion of the Champions League 2018-2019 and Premier League 2019-2020: These are two of the most important titles that Van Dijk won with Liverpool.
Difficulties and Recovery Efforts
Although Van Dijk has had a successful career, he has also faced great difficulties, especially a serious knee injury in the 2020-2021 season. This injury caused him to miss most of the season and be absent from the Dutch national team squad for Euro 2020. However, with perseverance and effort, Van Dijk recovered and returned. on the field, continuing to show impressive performance in the Liverpool shirt.
Conclude
Virgil van Dijk is one of the best midfielders in the world, not only because of his talent but also because of his relentless fighting spirit. From the difficult early days to becoming the defensive symbol of Liverpool and the Dutch team, Van Dijk has proven himself to be an excellent, brave player. With his achievements and excellent leadership ability, Van Dijk will certainly continue to shine and make his mark in world football history.