The amazing tale of Virgil van Dijk’s transformation from a dishwashing apprentice at a Breda restaurant to one of the world’s greatest defenders is one of perseverance and hard work. Ten years prior, when he was seventeen years old, Van Dijk would ride his bike to the Uncle Jean restaurant in Breda to work as a pot washer, with the lowest pay being four euros per hour.

 Van Dijk persevered in his pursuit of his goals in spite of opposition from Jacques Lips, the owner of the restaurant, who advised him to give up on his dream of becoming a professional football player.

He’s come a long way since then, and his peers chose him as Player of the Year. Van Dijk hit a growth spurt at the age of 16, rising to a height of six feet four inches.

In addition to working at the restaurant and attending Willem II’s academy, Van Dijk was working hard in the gym to advance his football career. 

His efforts were rewarded when, at sixteen, he went through a growth spurt and reached an incredible six feet four inches in height. With his earnings, he not only bought himself and his friends McDonald’s dinners, but he also invested in driving lessons to broaden his options for commuting to work.

He was grateful for his career in general and for his life as a professional football player in particular. Van Dijk has shown maturity for a 22-year-old by coming to enjoy life’s small pleasures via hardship.

Willem II nearly cost Celtic £2.6 million in the summer of 2006 because he was too big and too slow for the team. After three years, when he was able to resume his career at Groningen, he lost 2.5 stone and ended up hospitalised for 12 days due to a severe intestinal infection. His lower abdomen still has a scar that is noticeable.

Pool Boy: Virgil van Dijk is grateful for his football lifestyle despite having spent time in the hospital throughout his early career.

Considering that he is currently one of the young, up-and-coming defenders in European football, his tumble on Hogmanay was quite comprehensible.

He said, “This New Year’s Eve, I went to church to say some prayers after spending the night with my girlfriend until ten o’clock.” I said a prayer for everyone I love, including my girlfriend and family.

went to the hotel where we were going to play our game the following day. 

 I used to go church every Sunday when I was younger, but as I grew older, I quit. However, I think that occasionally, prayer has enabled me to overcome certain difficult circumstances.

When asked to remember the hard times, he raises his Celtic training shirt and reveals two scars.

One is on the right side of his abdomen and measures around three inches in length. The other reaches vertically from under his waist to his belly button.

He pointed to the scar on the right and remarked, “They tried to operate on this one.” They tried, but were unable, so they shuttered it and moved their operations to this centre.

“That was a fantastic surgery.” My abdomen was filled with an abscess.

“I was very sick.” It was considered extremely harmful by the doctors.

I lost approximately 15 kg (33 pounds). The abscess nearly ruptured due to the poisoning of my system. I spent twelve days in the hospital since it was risky. It’s lucky for me that it didn’t blow up.

Liverpool’s astounding £75 million Family of Virgil van Dijk at odds over a savage 14-year rivalry | The Sun

However, I had several drains put into my body. Given that it appeared out of nowhere, it was a concerning period.

They thought it was just a stomach ache, so they gave me the wrong kind of medication.

After that, I had some green stuff in my stomach for two days. My stomach grew soft and mushy. Upon my return to the medics, several pee tests were conducted.

“They did not find anything, but I had to go to the hospital the next day because I could not stay at home due to my pain.”

 “They said I needed the surgery.”

A trying moment: Van Dijk needed surgery to remove an abscess in his abdomen because he was quite sick.

Although he remembers the process taking place on April 1, it was a significant event for the 19-year-old football player to make his league debut. It should go without saying that the day will hold significance forever. It was also on June 23 that he knew he was in no way prepared to go back.

“I was terrible when I started training again.” He remarked, “I had no power, no muscles—nothing.” But I did participate in every preseason game, and I eventually got better. Coming back was such a wonderful feeling.

In just three years, he attracted the attention of both Celtic and Ajax. Neil Lennon moved, but Frank de Boer retreated.

After agreeing to a £2.6 million contract, Van Dijk has shown himself to be the best summer acquisition. Swift, strong aerially, and a keen observer of English match reports, he announced on Wednesday that Manchester City and Arsenal are now showing interest.

Van Dijk replies that he is “flattered,” but he doesn’t change his mind. He had learned to live in the now even before the abscess.

“They thought I was too small when I was younger, at 16, and I was a little slow at Willem II,” he went on. They nearly got me sent off when they played me at right back.

At the time, I was sixteen. They were discussing sending me away, so I felt like it was a pretty hazardous moment.

“I was among the team’s least effective players. As a player, I was not particularly good. I was little and unimpressive.

“I didn’t engage in any video gaming. They were going to let me go.

“However, I became 20 centimetres taller the next season. The growth spurt caused issues for me with my knees.

However, after I overcame that, everything improved. I seized the opportunity that Willem gave me. I took charge of the group.

Above all, he was back to playing centre defence, which was always his finest position. He participated in and was quite good at every sport during his adolescent years. However, he was always aware of his talent as a football player.

 

He declared, “I was the kind of boy who could do anything.” I excelled at swimming, badminton, basketball, and tennis.

I had complete control over what I did. I then enrolled in my high school’s sports trainer course to prepare for my career as a coach.I had to play a lot of sports as a result, which I did for a while.

Although I enjoy playing various sports, basketball is my fave. I love basketball so much. I doubt that I could have completed it in a proficient manner.

“My goal has always been to play football.” I was usually one of the class’s best players when we played at school.

But he admits that the rising unease at Willem II and the nausea at Groningen caused doubt to start to creep into his thoughts.

When inquired about his course of action in the event that things had ended abruptly, he shrugged and said, “I might have gone back to school.”

“The kind of life I would have had if I hadn’t chosen to play football is beyond my comprehension right now.”

It would have been quite peculiar. I’m grateful for what I have right now. I love my life now because I get to do what I love.

In addition, I get paid to do what I love. It really is a lovely treasure.

“Perhaps this experience was meant to be; everything happens for a reason.”

But that taught me a lot. I believe I’ve gone a long way as a person.

Van Dijk acknowledges that he has no idea what he would have done if football hadn’t come into play.

He’s also the happiest. With the support of his partner, Rike Nooitgedagt, he is adjusting to Glasgow more easily and his career is going well.

“I’m glad she’s here; it’s important to have someone to support you through everything,” he said. “She puts a lot of effort into her work and takes some time off to unwind before joining me on our trip to Scotland.”

She had to step down from her role as Holland’s sales manager, in my opinion. She made a significant decision there, and I like it.

“I think the main reason I have settled in so well is that she is here, which is really important.”

 .

In the present, Van Dijk has made a name for himself as a top-notch defender. He moved from Southampton to Liverpool in January of the previous year, making him the most expensive defender in history at the time. Thanks to his outstanding play, Van Dijk has won several awards, including PFA Player of the Year and BBC Player of the Year. His goal of helping Liverpool win their first league title in 29 years has had a huge impact on the team.