Virgil van Dijk Reveals Sad Reason Why He Doesn’t Use His Dad’s Name On His Shirt
Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has been using his first name ‘Virgil’ on his jerseys throughout his professional career contrary to most players who uses their surnames in their jerseys. But have you ever asked yourself why the Liverpool defender dropped his dad’s name from his shirt?
Mideyah digital got the answer and in this article, we will explain why the legendary defender doesn’t use his Surname van Dijk on his jersey.
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The Dutch international won his first trophy as Liverpool captain since he was named the club’s captain in the summer following the departure of Jordan Henderson. Van Dijk led the Reds in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final clash against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium where he scored the header deep into extra time to give Liverpool 10th Carabao cup trophy.
The Liverpool captain decided not to use his father’s surname ‘van Dijk’ following a family dispute with his mother Hellen when Virgil was aged only 12 years. If you are keen many Netherlands born players who have ‘van’ in their names in Holland it means “from” and “of” like former Manchester United Louis van Gaal and also their players like Donny van de Beek and Robin van Persie, these players use the surname on the back of their shirt, but Virgil van Dijk decided to drop the surname.
Close relatives of Virgil claim that the Liverpool defender has never forgiven his father for disowning his mother while he was young, and as a result the Dutch captain exhibited ‘Virgil’ on the back of his shirt since he started his professional career at FC Groningen in 2011.
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When Virgil van Dijk moved from Scottish giants Celtic to join Southampton in September 2015, van Dijk’s uncle, Steven Fo Sieeuw, revealed what happened between Virgil’s dad and his mother Hellen saying, “Van Dijk has never forgiven his father Ron van Dijk for walking out on his mum Hellen “The reality is that his father was absent during many crucial years,” van Dijk’s uncle Steven Fo Sieeuw told TalkSport.
“You don’t take your dad’s name off your shirt without a reason and Virgil has made it very clear how he feels.” Steven Fo Sieeuw added.
It is reported Virgil van Dijk’s uncle played a key role in his nephew’s rise in the football world, supporting him by taking him to youth training sessions and matches.
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