Vigil van Dijk feels for Sadio Mane and his World Cup dream because he suffered the same heartbreak when he missed Euro 2020.
Mane will be sidelined Senegal’s opening World Cup match against van Dijk’s Holland on Monday because of a leg injury and the country’s football federation claim he will miss their “first games”.
Van Dijk has spoken to his old Liverpool pal and he sympathises with him because he knows how gut-wrenching it is to miss a major tournament through injury. "Of course I’ve spoken to him,” said the defensive colossus, who missed Euro 2020 because of a serious knee injury.
“I was feeling sad for him, first and foremost. I’m not happy in this case and I’ve been in that situation where I missed the Euros. We as players, we work so hard to get to this stage and he has been such an important figure in that group, for their country.
“I know for a fact that he will put a brave face on it, but it’s tough and I feel sorry for him. I don’t think he will play, but they still have a fantastic team. We will prepare well for them and the whole tournament is going to be tough.”
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Van Dijk is excited to play in his first World Cup at 31 and says his Euro 2020 heartache makes it even more special. The Holland captain will win his 50th cap against Senegal in what will be his first major tournament.
Van Dijk says Louis van Gaal’s side, who reached the semi-finals in 2014 under the former Manchester United boss, have the right mix to do well in Qatar.
“I’m 31 now and I’m going to enjoy this as much as I can,” said the centre-half, who flew to Qatar yesterday with his Dutch team-mates.
“Maybe it’s even better for me because of everything I’ve experienced. We also have a great group so I’m very excited about it.
“We have a nice mixture. I don’t think out squad is as young as everyone is making out and we have players who play at the highest level with the biggest clubs in the world.
“I’m a confident captain and with the quality we have, we can do well, but all we are thinking about right now is Senegal.”
