Liverpool central defender Virgil Van Dijk has withdrawn his name from the Netherlands national team due to personal reasons ahead of the Oranje’s clash against Estonia on Tuesday following qualification for the Euro 2020 next summer.
The Netherlands secured their qualification for the Euro 2020 after a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland yesterday and their captain has played a vital role in getting his team back into the continental tournament proving to be a solid figure at the back.
But unfortunately, the 28-year-old defender will be missing from footballing action for the Netherlands in their last European Qualifier against Estonia after the defender withdrew himself from the national squad due to ‘personal reasons’. The Dutch FA has provided no further information about their captain’s withdrawal which means that there is no fear of an injury for the PFA Player of the Year.
Van Dijk has captained the Oranje team to 2nd on their Group C table and the top spot is still up for grabs if Germany loses but the Netherlands will have to achieve that feat without their captain as he will not play at the Johann Cryuff Arena against Estonia.
A short message from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed Van Dijk’s absence from the national team as it read Ronald Koeman will not have the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, “National team coach Ronald Koeman cannot rely on Virgil van Dijk on Tuesday against Estonia. The captain of the Dutch national team has to [miss] the game due to personal circumstances and has since left the Oranje training camp.”
The Netherlands will be making their first appearance in the European Championships next summer after losing all of their group matches during the 2012 edition of the prestigious continental competition and unable to make it in the tournament last time around as well.
However, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will be hoping that Van Dijk is back in action for the Reds’ trip to Selhurst Park next weekend when the table-toppers face Crystal Palace.
