After an incredible 2018–19 season, VIRGIL VAN DIJK entered the FIFA Best Awards as a heavy favorite and ultimately lost to Lionel Messi.

The Liverpool player pushed for the Champions League crown and the second-place finish in the Premier League, earning him the PFA Player of the Year accolade for his efforts.

He’s come a long way since making his debut for Groningen as a striker.

Van Dijk traveled to Scotland and the South Coast of England before moving to Merseyside after his defensive abilities were immediately noticed and he was moved to the defense.

And at every turn, his lifelong companion Rike Nooitgedag and their dog have been there.

Even though Van Dijk’s career has been extremely successful, Nooitgedag could have been having her own in the fashion world if she hadn’t been so committed to her partner.

The couple has been together since they were young children, and Nooitgedag was already well-known as a fashion sales manager when he started his football career.

But in 2013, when Van Dijk’s chance to join Celtic came up, she quit her work to go to Glasgow and follow her partner.

Soon after the contract was finalized, she disclosed: “I was a sales manager for various fashion brands that I brought to the Dutch stores.”

“I had to step down to follow my man wherever football takes him, even though I loved it.”

“So far, we’ve been settling well and having adventures with our lovely dog.”

The WAG openly declared beside a photo of the couple that “I love you not only for who you are but for who I am when I’m with you.” The couple has made no secret of their love for one another on the internet.

With a picture of them vacationing, Virgil wrote, “You are the love of my life!”

Although it was somewhat dramatic, the arrival of their daughter in 2014 solidified their love for one another.

September of that year was Rike’s due date, but the anticipated date coincided with Van Dijk’s first-ever senior international call-up.

The celebrity planned for his fiancée to have an induced delivery out of desperation not to miss the arrival of his first child. The pitter patter of tiny feet entered their home without incident, but Van Dijk was not chosen, so he had to wait for his Dutch bow.

Soon after switching to the Premier League, in October 2015, he received his first cap against Kazakhstan, marking the impending arrival of that moment, which came a year later.

The couple’s public shows of affection are now rare, as Rike’s social media accounts appear to have been deleted. The defender would much rather limit his posts to football-related topics.