Virgil van Dijk has been accused of 'ruining Dutch football' by journalist Valentijn Driessen. The Liverpool star was slammed after the Netherlands' defeat to Morocco on penalties.
What happened?
The Netherlands' defeat on June 30, 2026, was a 'dreadful exit' for the team, according to Driessen. He believes the team's ultra-defensive style was a 'great disgrace'.
Why it matters for Virgil van Dijk
Driessen blames Van Dijk for the team's poor performance, saying he failed to get his 'defensive act together' during the group stage. This led to the change in style, which ultimately didn't work.
What comes next?
Driessen thinks Van Dijk's time is up, whether that's on the international stage or in football entirely. He believes the defender was to blame for Morocco's goal and had lost track of his opponent.
The journalist insists that Van Dijk was 'out of position' and had 'completely lost track' of his opponent for the equaliser in the 90th minute. This followed the trend from the group stages when he lost track of opponents and conceded chances.
Driessen says surrounding Van Dijk with more defenders didn't hide the fact that his time is up. He thinks it's time for a fresh start and that extending Van Dijk's career until the Euros in 2028 would be a mistake.
Valentijn Driessen, a journalist for De Telegraaf, made these comments in an article that did not hold back on criticism of Van Dijk and Ronald Koeman. The article was published on June 30, 2026.
Van Dijk's nation is ready to turn its back on him, according to Driessen. The Liverpool star has had a tough year, and this criticism is another low point.
The Netherlands' defeat to Morocco was a shock, and the team's performance was widely criticized. Van Dijk's role in the defeat has been scrutinized, and Driessen's comments are the latest in a series of criticisms.
Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands' manager, has also been criticized for the team's performance. Driessen believes that Koeman and Van Dijk have 'betrayed everything our national team stands for'.
The Netherlands' exit from the World Cup was a disappointment, and the team's performance will be analyzed in the coming days. Van Dijk's future with the national team is uncertain, and Driessen's comments have added to the speculation.
Van Dijk's performance for Liverpool has also been criticized at times, but he remains a key player for the club. His future with the Netherlands, however, is less certain, and Driessen's comments have raised questions about his role with the national team.
The journalist's comments have sparked a debate about Van Dijk's future, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however: Van Dijk faces a tough road ahead, and his performance will be under scrutiny in the coming months.