Why Virgil van Dijk dumps surname for first name on Netherlands jersey
The poignant reason behind Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk’s decision to sport only his first name, “Virgil,” on the back of his jersey has come to light.
The Liverpool powerhouse is currently leading the Netherlands’ charge on the global stage. Following a thrilling 2-2 draw against Japan at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Dutch side is gearing up for a crucial Group F clash against Sweden—a match that sets up an exciting showdown between Van Dijk and his Liverpool teammate, Alexander Isak.
A deep-seated family feud
While football fans are accustomed to seeing “Virgil” emblazoned across his back for both club and country, the choice is far from a mere stylistic preference. Though the defender rarely discusses the matter publicly, a close relative previously exposed the painful reality behind the decision.
According to his maternal uncle, Steven Fo Sieeuw, the choice stems from a bitter, long-standing feud with his father, Ron van Dijk, which dates back to the footballer’s childhood.
Speaking about the family dynamic, Fo Sieeuw revealed that Virgil’s father walked out on his mother and their three young children.
“The truth is his dad was not around for so many important years, and it is his mother who is the real hero of this story,” Fo Sieeuw stated. “You don’t take your dad’s name off your shirt without a reason, and Virgil has made it very clear how he feels.”
The “real hero” behind the star
While Fo Sieeuw played an active role in Virgil’s early development—often driving him to youth training sessions and matches—he maintains that the credit for the defender’s meteoric rise belongs solely to his mother.
Reflecting on the hardships the family faced, the uncle shed light on the stark contrast between Virgil’s two parents:
On his father, Ron: “Ron is a nice guy but you need to be more than that to be a good father. You have to be there for your children. Ron married again and his new wife was very domineering, so he didn’t see his kids much.”
On his mother’s sacrifice: “She had a full-time job and three kids to look after, so she never had a minute for herself. She spent every day going to work, then coming home and looking after the kids and doing all the cooking.”
For Virgil, dropping his surname is a silent but powerful tribute to the mother who sacrificed everything for his dream, and a clear boundary drawn against the father who left.
“I feel for Virgil,” Fo Sieeuw added. “It’s like he’s been caught in the middle.”
