Virgil van Dijk commits to Netherlands after decisive Xavi talks

Virgil van Dijk has decided to continue his international career with the Netherlands after holding talks with new national team manager Xavi Hernández.

The 35-year-old Liverpool defender had been considering his international future, but a personal meeting with Xavi proved decisive. Van Dijk has now committed himself to Oranje for the coming two years and will also remain captain under the Spanish coach.

With 96 international appearances already behind him, Van Dijk could soon reach another significant milestone for his country.

Xavi recently travelled to Liverpool specifically to speak with Van Dijk about his future with the national team.

For the defender, feeling trust and respect from the new manager was essential before making his decision.

“It was an enormously important decision,” Van Dijk said, as quoted by The Athletic. “I needed to feel the trust, as well as the combination of respect, enjoyment and everything I was looking for.”

Van Dijk revealed that Xavi made the right impression almost immediately.

“I had that feeling from the first second, so the conversation didn't even need to last that long,” he added.

The Liverpool captain is now looking ahead rather than towards international retirement, saying he wants to make the next two years with the Netherlands memorable.

Xavi has also confirmed there will be no change to the captaincy.

“He will be my captain,” the Netherlands manager said. “Virgil was very honest and open. He is a good leader, positive and motivated.”

That gives Xavi an experienced figure around whom he can begin shaping his Netherlands side.

For Van Dijk, meanwhile, the decision provides clarity over an international career that has already produced 96 appearances. Rather than stepping away at 35, he has chosen to remain an important part of the Netherlands setup under their new manager.

Van Dijk will now reunite with the Netherlands squad for the first time under Xavi, with the new manager retaining one of the team's most experienced leaders.

Sitting on 96 caps, Van Dijk is also closing in on his 100th appearance as he begins what he hopes will be another memorable two-year period with Oranje.