Xavi gives Van Dijk green light for four Nations League games

This Friday, Xavi Hernández, newly appointed manager of the Netherlands, will publicly announce his first squad for the four upcoming Nations League matches, in which, according to Dutch media, central defender Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool will be included.

Meeting and agreement between Xavi and Van Dijk

According to reports, the defender recently held a meeting with Xavi in England, where he expressed his desire to continue being part of the national team and received the coach’s approval. Xavi, who took the role at the end of August, confirmed that Van Dijk will remain a Dutch international.

If he plays in the upcoming matches, Van Dijk could reach 100 caps for the Netherlands, as he currently has 96 appearances. This milestone underscores his role as a defensive pillar for the national side.

The information was published by journalist Yaca Garcia‑Planas, who quoted the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. The newspaper noted that, although they are officially silent, both see enough potential to work together.

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The four matches will be played in the coming weeks, marking the first call‑up under Xavi’s management. It will be the first official squad that the new coach will present.

Van Dijk continues to play as a central defender for Liverpool, a club with which he has cemented his international reputation. His continued presence in the national team strengthens the Netherlands’ defence.

Driessen expects more intensive training under Xavi with the Dutch

Xavi Hernández took the role of manager of the Netherlands at the end of August, replacing the previous coach. He now aims to build a solid foundation alongside Van Dijk for the upcoming matches.