The defender describing the 2025-26 season as the heaviest of his professional and personal life — defined above all by the devastating death of Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota.
The 35-year-old Liverpool captain spoke to Dutch media in the United States, refusing only one question — about his view on the dismissal of manager Arne Slot — before opening up with unusual transparency about everything else.
"I spoke to Arne myself and that remains between us. The focus now is on the World Cup."
On the season as a whole, the pain was evident.
"It just kept going. From the phone call I received about the terrible news of Diogo to the moment last month when I sat on the grass watching the farewells of Salah and Robertson."
He described the cumulative toll of loss, injury and responsibility.
"Injuries, personal things, bad matches, all sorts were going on. The constant level of the title-winning season wasn't there as a result. In those eight years at Liverpool, I had never experienced it like this before."
Van Dijk accepted personal responsibility as captain, acknowledging that he sometimes tried to carry too much.
"That's also why a year like this hurts extra. I take things away from others quickly. But at Liverpool last year, I sometimes had too much on my plate. I learn from that too."
He drew a parallel with the 2024 European Championship, where the Netherlands lost to England in the semi-finals in the closing minutes — a moment that brought him to his knees.
"I remember standing in the mixed zone and feeling I was done. It was intense. I was broken from the loss, broken from the negativity. I understand — you have to be critical when necessary. But a little optimism can help. I was completely done with it."
He admitted he had considered retiring from international football after that tournament and spoken about it with head coach Ronald Koeman. He returned, and is now here at his fourth World Cup — but with a clear message about what the squad dynamic must look like.
"If a player cannot deal with disappointments and thinks himself above the team, we will struggle. At a tournament, you need more than just good players. Group dynamics are so important when you are together for a long time."
Van Dijk's contract at Liverpool expires next summer. His future at Anfield beyond this tournament has not been addressed publicly by either party.