Today, Virgil van Dijk is considered as one of the world’s best centre-backs, with a convincing case to be referred to as “first among equals.” However, getting there wasn’t easy.
When the player in question, Van Dijk, was younger, he could not have guessed how quickly his career would progress. But how did Van Dijk become to be so successful?
The 27-year-old Dutchman began his career in Willem II’s junior academy before joining FC Groningen.
In under ten years, Virgil van Dijk went from being a pot washer to becoming the most expensive defender in the world – Irish Mirror Online
In just ten years, Virgil van Dijk has gone from a pot washer to the world’s most expensive defender.
Virgil van Dijk went from the world’s most expensive defender to a pot washer in ten years, and then back again.
Growing up, he was never comfortable. First and foremost, expanding larger was not an easy undertaking.
“My knee did not feel very stable.” I experienced lower back ache. In his most recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he discussed how he struggled before going to therapy and how he isolated himself from the outside world for six weeks. “After that, I played better on the pitch.”
Liverpool’s £75 million superstar Virgil van Dijk’s family at odds over bitter 14-year dispute | The Irish Sun.
However, unlike his usual style of play in the middle of the defence, Van Dijk was still a young player. He changed employment regularly, as did many of his colleagues. For example, knowing that Ruud van Nistelrooy started out as a caretaker helps to explain his tough success in the field.
It wasn’t so bad for Van Dijk. He was stuck at right back and wasn’t exactly a model modern full-back, so a job change was never going to happen. His strongest suit has always been defence.
Virgil van Dijk’s Childhood Story and Untold Biography Facts
When he was sixteen, he described himself as a plodding right back who lacked the talent to play center back. I was a solid player who didn’t stand out before being appointed captain of Willem II’s U19 squad.
Things improved dramatically after that. After my little spell with the U23s, things happened quickly.
It did pass quickly. He appeared in 66 first-team games for FC Groningen. Throughout his career, he displayed promising characteristics.
A collection of all the occasions Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk let his hair down—Thick Accent
