Reason why Virgil van Dijk only uses first name on back of Netherlands jersey

The sad reason why Virgil van Dijk wears his first name on his Netherlands jersey has been revealed.

On June 14, the Netherlands began their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw with Japan at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With the two nations widely considered to be the two strongest in Group F, the result meant that all eyes would be on the remaining fixtures in the group to determine who would finish on top.

In their second fixture the Netherlands face Sweden in a match that will see captain Van Dijk reunite with Liverpool teammate Alexander Isak, who scored one in assisted two in Sweden's 5-1 win over Tunisia.

Throughout the match, fans will no doubt notice that the Dutchman has opted have his first name 'Virgil' printed on his shirt instead of his surname, as he does when playing for Liverpool.

Although he has never spoken out to confirm the reason for the personal choice, a close relative has once explained exactly why.

According to his uncle Steven Fo Sieeuw, the Liverpool captain has chosen to put his first name on his shirt due to a lengthy feud with his dad that dates back to when he was only 12.

Fo Sieeuw told The Sun back in 2018: "His dad split with his mother and three children, including Virgil.

"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.

"You don't take your dad's name off your shirt without a reason, and Virgil has made it very clear how he feels."

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Speaking about Van Dijk's dad, he added: “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.”

Fo Sieeuw was a big part of Van Dijk's early footballing career, taking him to training and matches in his youth, but instead praised the Liverpool skipper's mother for his success.

He said: “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.

"I feel for Virgil, it’s like he’s been caught in the middle.”