""I feel like the ex-top players have a responsibility to the new generation," Van Dijk said. "Criticism is absolutely normal and part of the game, and I think it should stay that way. "But sometimes criticism also goes into being clickbait, saying things to provoke things, and without thinking about the repercussions for the mental side of players, and especially the younger generation, who are constantly on social media.""
"Martinez responded by saying pundits "can talk on the television" but "no-one says anything" to your face."
Virgil van Dijk emphasizes that former players turned pundits have a duty of responsibility toward the next generation when commenting on performances. Criticism should remain part of the game, but some punditry crosses into clickbait that provokes and ignores mental-health repercussions for younger players who are constantly on social media. Van Dijk says he can handle such commentary personally but fears its effect on emerging professionals. Past examples include Wayne Rooney called out as offering "lazy criticism" and Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt making remarks about Lisandro Martinez and Erling Haaland; Martinez noted pundits "can talk on the television" but do not confront players face-to-face.
Read at www.bbc.com
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