Liverpool (England)
Van Dijk, the mainstay of the defense, has been described as "the world's most impenetrable center back" but admits he still has room to move up.
In the upcoming Champions League match against a strong opponent
Real Madrid soccer team
Earlier, 30-year-old Dutch star Van Dijk gave an exclusive interview to legendary center back Ferdinand, sharing his transformation on a psychological level after returning from injury.
Van Dijk revealed, "At the moment I think I'm in great shape, but looking back to the early days of my comeback, it does take time to get back into competitive shape, as is humanly possible."
After suffering a torn ligament in October 2020, Van Dijk quickly regained his form and is leading his team to Triple Crown glory this season. "Within about three to five months, I got my speed and self-confidence back and at times even felt unbeatable."
Faced with a question about whether he thinks he is stronger than before, Van Dijk replied, "Maybe, I think it's normal. The most interesting thing is that I always believe there is still room for improvement. Even though the surgeon told me that it takes two years for a normal person to fully recover, with the World Cup approaching, I hope I can play well."
Although Van Dijk considers himself one of the strongest central defenders today, he paid tribute to Ferdinand, claiming that Ferdinand, Kompany and Stam are the strongest central defenders in his mind.
