Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk's life off pitch – net worth to childhood sweetheart and tattoo
As Virgil van Dijk steps onto the pitch in Leipzig to captain the Netherlands against France in the Euros on Friday, 21 June, he'll be supported by his wife and children.
The Liverpool captain is known for having been signed by the club as the world's most expensive defender at £75 million in 2018 and is familiar to football fans for his incredible skill and speed.
But what does the 32-year-old's life look like outside of football, including his family life, a secret tattoo and his net worth?
Here's all you need to know about the Netherlands captain as he and his team get set for their latest Group D match in the tournament.
Early life
Virgil was born in Breda, in the south of the Netherlands, to parents Ron van Dijk and Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw and threw himself into football from an early age.
Despite having started to play for Willem II as a child, managers decided he wasn't good enough to make the first team and let him go on a free transfer to FC Groningen, where he went on to prove his early critics wrong by making the national youth team.
Virgil played for Celtic and Southampton before being signed on a record-breaking fee of £75 million by Liverpool in 2028, the same year that he was named Netherlands captain.
Secret tattoo
Virgil usually plays in a long-sleeve top, so fans might not be aware of his secret tattoo that covers his entire left arm.
He has a full sleeve tattoo that includes designs such as a clock, roses and an eye that is rarely seen on the pitch, but makes an appearance in his modelling campaigns and on his social media.
Childhood sweetheart
The footballer met his wife Rike Nooitgedagt when they were teenagers in Breda and the couple went on to get married in 2017.
Rike had been working as a fashion sales manager in the Netherlands, but gave it up to follow Virgil to Scotland when he was signed by Celtic in 2013.
She is often seen supporting him at key matches, along with their four children - daughters Nila, Jadi and Noa, and son Mase.
Virgil's family are proudly supporting him at the Euros in Germany and have been spotted watching him in training.
Family feud rumours
Fans will know that Virgil usually uses just his first name on his football kit rather than van Dijk, and according to his uncle Steven the reason for the break with sporting tradition is because of a family feud.
His father left the family when Virgil was 11, but he has refused to confirm whether that is the reason for not using his surname on his shirt.
Virgil said: "Nobody really knows the reason. What exactly happened is private and I won't tell the media. It's nobody's business. But my father is no longer in my life."
Net worth
Unsurprisingly, Virgil's huge success means he has earned some serious wealth during his career.
Along with his footballing wage of £220,000 a week (£11.4 million per year), he also has some personal sponsorship deals with the likes of Heineken and Nike, has modelled in a Calvin Klein ad campaign, and has been the cover star of EA Sports' FIFA 20.
His net worth in March 2024 was estimated at around $46 million (£39 million).
Netherlands v France airs on BBC One on Friday, 21 June with coverage starting at 7.30pm and kick-off at 8pm
