As an individual star and then as captain, the Dutch defender has raised Liverpool to regular trophy winners, been the most accomplished centre-back in the game and won everything going since moving to Anfield, as well as finishing second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or, a mere seven vote points behind Lionel Messi.
Yet as can so often be the case, the domestic perception of a player does not match the international one on home soil. Van Dijk has been pilloried by some of the biggest names in Dutch football history, not just once, not just at this tournament, but relentlessly, for years.
Given that the Netherlands have struggled to consistently impress at major tournaments and clearly don’t have as strong a squad now as they have had in decades gone by, some criticism is expected – and with Van Dijk as captain, he’s a natural lightning rod for harsh words. Even so, some of the accusations appear beyond the normal range, while certain specific complaints would not resonate with those who watch him regularly.
Chief among the critics’ voices has been three-time Ballon d’Or winner and arguably the second-biggest name in Oranje history, Marco van Basten.
Only two weeks ago, he was adding to his long-running critique of Van Dijk’s performances following a Euro 2024 defeat to Austria. “He’s got to lead and he’s the one we’re going to hold accountable in the end,” he fumed post-match. “He has to organise things and he is responsible. He is the great leader of the team and you have to organise these kinds of things better.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 10, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 10, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Draper hit by sickness in semi-final defeat to Sinner
Jack Draper was sick on court four times as his US Open dream ended in semi-final heartbreak following a straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner. The British number one was enjoying an incredible run in New York and had big hopes of emulating Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by winning the title.
San Marino's competitive.cherry popped by a toe poke
It goes some way to illustrating the pain and patience that fans of San Marino have had to endure that their winning goalscorer on Thursday night wasn’t even born the last time the landlocked nation tasted international success.
Carsley's gamble leads to an audition with a difference
One of the game's brightest coaches has the chance to show he's more than a 'safe pair of hands', writes Miguel Delaney
Warring neighbours have became eternally entwined
England meet the Republic of Ireland today, reigniting a rivalry that has shades of grey between the white and green
Boeing Starliner heads back to Earth without its crew
Boeing's troubled Starliner space craft undocked from the International Space Station yesterday - without its crew - and began a high-risk return to Earth. The Starliner undocked shortly after 2300 GMT and is scheduled to touch down six hours later in White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
Rape and death threats for Afghan taekwondo star
Online abuse of Marzieh Hamidi for criticising the Taliban hit new levels after she denounced her country's cricket team
Super Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in 'China's Hawaii'
Super Typhoon Yagi landed in China’s Hainan yesterday, bringing violent gales and heavy rain that triggered widespread power outages, paralysing the tourist island province known as “China’s Hawaii”.
'I did it': suspect admits to Georgia school shooting
The suspect accused of killing four people in a mass school shooting in the US, allegedly told investigators \"I did it\" while being questioned. Colt Gray, 14, who has been charged with four felony counts of murder, made the admission while being read his Miranda rights, Barrow County sheriff, Jud Smith, told CNN.
Inside a city under fire as Russia advances in Donetsk
Residents of Kostyantynivka, perilously close to the front line, tell of the relentless shelling they are facing as Putin's merciless forces tighten their grip on the Ukrainian region
England head coach will not sing national anthem today
England manager and former Ireland player Lee Carsley says won't sing either anthem for today's match in Dublin, because that's always been his stance throughout his career.