Biography

If you follow football even loosely, you already know the name Virgil van Dijk. The man has pretty much redefined what it means to be a modern centre-back. Born on July 8, 1991 in Breda, a city in the southern part of the Netherlands, Virgil grew up with a mixed heritage, his father was Dutch and his mother, Hellen, is of Surinamese descent with African and Chinese roots.

His childhood wasn’t exactly easy. When Virgil was around 11 years old, his father left the family. That split hit hard, and to this day, Van Dijk keeps the details private. He has said publicly that his father is no longer part of his life. It’s actually the reason he wears just “Virgil” on the back of his shirt instead of his full surname, a quiet but powerful personal statement.

Raised mainly by his mother, Virgil grew up grounded and resilient. He even worked as a dishwasher as a teenager while chasing his football dream. He joined the youth setup at Willem II in Tilburg but was initially overlooked by bigger Dutch clubs. Some coaches thought he was too slow. Clearly, they got that one wrong.

Career

Early Career: Groningen and Celtic

Virgil’s professional journey started at FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, where he made his debut in 2011. He quickly proved himself as a reliable defender, but things took a scary turn during his second season. Just after turning 20, he was rushed to the hospital with appendicitis, peritonitis and kidney poisoning. The situation was so serious that the hospital asked him to sign what was essentially a will. He spent 13 days hospitalised, lost about 35 pounds, and couldn’t walk for 10 days. That experience gave him a different perspective on life and football.

After recovering, he moved to Celtic in Scotland in 2013. At Celtic, he was brilliant – winning the Scottish Premiership in both his seasons there and earning a spot in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year twice. He scored freely for a defender too, netting nine goals in 76 appearances.

Southampton and the Big Move to Liverpool

In 2015, Van Dijk signed with Southampton in the English Premier League. He did well enough to be named club captain by 2017, and it wasn’t long before the big clubs came calling. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all wanted him.

Liverpool won the race, signing him in January 2018 for £75 million, a world record fee for a defender at the time. He scored on his debut against Everton in the FA Cup, and honestly, he hasn’t looked back since.

Liverpool: The Golden Era

The impact Van Dijk had on Liverpool was immediate and transformative. In his first full season (2018–19), he helped the club win the Champions League and was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, the only defender ever to win that award. He also finished runner-up for the Ballon d’Or, losing out narrowly to Lionel Messi. That same year, he picked up the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards.

The following season was even better for Liverpool domestically. Van Dijk was central to the team ending their 30-year wait for a league title, winning the 2019–20 Premier League. He also added the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup to his collection.

A serious ACL injury in October 2020 kept him out for most of the 2020–21 season, but he came back strong. When Jordan Henderson left in 2023, Van Dijk was named Liverpool’s captain,  a role that suits him perfectly. He won the EFL Cup as captain in February 2024, scoring the only goal in the final against Chelsea. As of 2026, he has over 300 appearances for Liverpool and counting.

Netherlands National Team

On the international stage, Van Dijk has been captaining the Netherlands since 2018. He led the Oranje to the final of the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the semi-finals of Euro 2024. He’s earned over 70 caps and remains a leader for his country heading into 2026.

Virgil van Dijk's Net Worth and Salary in 2026

So, how much is Virgil van Dijk actually worth? Well, it depends on who you ask – estimates vary a lot across different sources. Icon Polls estimates that Virgil van Dijk’s net worth in 2026 sits somewhere between $50 million and $55 million. This figure takes into account his career earnings from football salaries (which total well over $100 million at this point), his endorsement deals with brands like Nike, EA Sports and JBL, and his various investments.

In April 2025, Van Dijk signed a new two-year contract extension with Liverpool that runs through June 2027. His salary under this deal is reported to be around £350,000 to £400,000 per week, which works out to roughly £18.2 million per year (about $23 million). That makes him the highest-paid defender in European football. The contract has no break clauses and no pay cut – Liverpool clearly value him that highly.

Beyond his playing salary, Van Dijk earns significant money through endorsements and sponsorship deals. He’s been a Nike athlete for years and has featured in campaigns for EA Sports’ football video games. He has also reportedly invested in real estate in the UK and in sports technology startups back in the Netherlands. All of this adds up to a pretty impressive financial portfolio for someone who was washing dishes as a teenager.

Personal Life

Virgil is married to his childhood sweetheart, Rike Nooitgedagt. The two grew up together in Breda and started dating when Virgil was around 20. Rike was working as a fashion sales manager in the Netherlands when Virgil got his move to Celtic in 2013, and she gave up her career to support him. They got married in the summer of 2017 and now have four children together. Their eldest daughter, Nila, was born in 2014, followed by Jadi in 2016.

Despite being one of the most famous footballers in the world, Van Dijk keeps his family life very private. You won’t find many personal photos on his social media. Rike stays out of the spotlight almost entirely and doesn’t have a public social media presence. It’s clear that family stability matters a lot to both of them.

Outside football, Van Dijk enjoys playing video games, listening to music and watching NBA basketball. He’s also involved in charity work, supporting the Liverpool FC Foundation and the Dutch charity Kinderen Kankervrij (Children Cancer-Free).

Frequently Asked Questions About Virgil van Dijk

1. What is Virgil van Dijk’s net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates Virgil van Dijk’s net worth to be between $50 million and $55 million in 2026. This includes his football earnings, endorsements with brands like Nike and EA Sports, and personal investments.

2. How much does Virgil van Dijk earn per week?

As of his 2025 contract extension with Liverpool, Van Dijk earns a reported £350,000 to £400,000 per week. With performance bonuses, his total weekly earnings could be even higher.

3. What is Virgil van Dijk’s annual salary?

His base annual salary for the 2025–26 season is approximately £18.2 million (about $23 million), making him the best-paid defender in European football.

4. How old is Virgil van Dijk?

Virgil van Dijk was born on July 8, 1991. He is 34 years old as of 2026 and will turn 35 in July 2026.

5. How tall is Virgil van Dijk?

Van Dijk stands at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 metres). His height is one of his biggest assets as a defender, particularly in aerial duels.

6. Is Virgil van Dijk married?

Yes, Van Dijk is married to Rike Nooitgedagt. They grew up together in Breda, Netherlands, started dating when Virgil was 20, and got married in the summer of 2017.

7. How many children does Virgil van Dijk have?

Virgil and Rike have four children together. Their eldest daughter Nila was born in 2014 and their second daughter Jadi was born in 2016. The family keeps the details of their younger children private.

8. Why does Virgil van Dijk wear “Virgil” on his shirt?

He uses only his first name due to a family rift with his father, who left the family when Virgil was a child. It is a personal choice and he has stated that the full details are private.

9. What position does Virgil van Dijk play?

Van Dijk plays as a centre-back. He is known for his aerial ability, speed, leadership and composure on the ball.

10. Which club does Virgil van Dijk play for?

Van Dijk plays for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League. He joined the club in January 2018 and signed a contract extension in April 2025 that keeps him at Anfield until 2027.

11. When does Virgil van Dijk’s contract expire?

His current contract with Liverpool runs until June 30, 2027. He signed this two-year extension in April 2025.

12. Has Virgil van Dijk won the Ballon d’Or?

No, but he came incredibly close. Van Dijk finished as runner-up for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, narrowly losing out to Lionel Messi. He is the only defender in recent history to come that close.

13. How many trophies has Virgil van Dijk won?

Van Dijk has won over nine major trophies during his career. These include the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Scottish Premiership (twice).

14. How much did Liverpool pay for Virgil van Dijk?

Liverpool paid £75 million to sign Van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018. At the time, it was a world record transfer fee for a defender.

15. What nationality is Virgil van Dijk?

Virgil van Dijk is Dutch. He was born in Breda, Netherlands. His mother is of Surinamese (Afro-Surinamese and Chinese) descent, giving him a mixed heritage.

16. Is Virgil van Dijk the captain of the Netherlands?

Yes, Van Dijk has been the full captain of the Netherlands national team since March 2018. He has captained the Oranje in major tournaments including the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

17. What was Virgil van Dijk’s career-threatening health scare?

During his time at Groningen in 2011, Van Dijk was hospitalised with appendicitis, peritonitis and kidney poisoning. The situation was life-threatening, the hospital asked him to sign a will. He spent 13 days in hospital and lost nearly 35 pounds before making a full recovery.

18. Did Virgil van Dijk suffer a serious knee injury?

Yes. In October 2020, Van Dijk suffered a torn ACL following a challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. He missed most of the 2020–21 season but returned to full fitness and has been dominant ever since.

19. What endorsements does Virgil van Dijk have?

Van Dijk has endorsement deals with Nike (he wears Nike Tiempo Legend boots), EA Sports, and JBL among others. According to Icon Polls, these deals contribute significantly to his overall net worth.

20. Who are Virgil van Dijk’s parents?

His father is Ron van Dijk (Dutch) and his mother is Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw (Surinamese). Virgil was primarily raised by his mother after his father left the family. He has a younger brother and a younger sister.

21. What is Virgil van Dijk’s shirt number?

Van Dijk wears the number 4 shirt at Liverpool FC. He also wears number 4 for the Netherlands national team.

22. Where does Virgil van Dijk live?

Van Dijk lives in the Liverpool area in England with his wife and children. He has resided in the Cheshire region, which is popular with Premier League footballers.

23. Is Virgil van Dijk one of the best defenders ever?

Many football pundits and fans consider Van Dijk one of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history. He is the only defender to win the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award and has been selected in the FIFPRO World 11 multiple times. Icon Polls recognises him as one of the defining defenders of his generation.

24. What clubs has Virgil van Dijk played for?

Van Dijk’s professional career has taken him through FC Groningen (2011–13), Celtic (2013–15), Southampton (2015–18) and Liverpool (2018–present).

25. Will Virgil van Dijk retire at Liverpool?

His current contract runs through 2027, and Van Dijk has repeatedly said Liverpool is where he wants to be. While nothing is certain in football, Icon Polls notes that all signs point to him finishing his career at Anfield or at least spending several more years there.

Virgil van Dijk’s story is one of those rare football tales that goes beyond the pitch. From a kid washing dishes in Breda to the highest-paid defender in Europe, his journey has been shaped by resilience, family and an almost unshakeable calm under pressure. Whether he’s marshalling Liverpool’s backline, captaining the Netherlands or quietly building his financial future off the pitch, Van Dijk continues to set the standard for what a modern defender looks like.