"I obviously want to thank everyone who's here, all the players, the staff and all the people who make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I'm proud to be the captain of Oranje and to lead you every single time. I'm already excited for the final tournament and to achieve success together. The specific phrase the final tournament has been picked up by fans as the crucial detail."
"For a player who will be 35 by the time the World Cup kicks off, easing his demanding workload is a logical step. An international retirement immediately following the World Cup would allow him to focus solely on his club career, potentially extending his time at the elite level, where the physical demands are becoming increasingly fierce following a serious ACL injury in 2020."
Virgil van Dijk captained the Netherlands to World Cup qualification with a 4-0 win over Lithuania. Dressing-room comments were shared on social media and carried a tone of a captain valuing a potential closing chapter. Fans seized on the phrase “the final tournament” as a possible signal of future plans. Van Dijk will be 35 by the time the World Cup begins, making workload management a logical consideration. An international retirement after the World Cup could allow greater focus on club football and help preserve longevity, especially given a serious ACL injury in 2020. The timing coincides with a difficult season for Liverpool, currently outside the top positions.
Read at www.caughtoffside.com
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