Virgil Van Dijk: "We live in a world where people always have their opinions"

Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk has answered a question from fans about their expectations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

— How much do the fans' expectations weigh on you and the team?

— There will always be expectations. We live in a world where people will always have their opinions. People will always feel the need to share their opinions. We shouldn't listen to them too much. We just need to have a plan for how the team can move in the same direction, including with the support of the fans. That means moving forward, being positive, and achieving success.

— You get a lot of energy from the fans.

— I hope so. It’s probably underestimated, but their support is very important. A good example was the game against Argentina in Qatar. It felt like we were playing in Buenos Aires. There were a lot of fans there, and that’s very important. I’m lucky to play for a club with great fans. That’s very important, so I hope that in America, as a team, we can also count on great support. I understand that it’s not always easy. But yes, I hope we can,” Van Dijk was quoted as saying by FIFA’s official website.