Dutch national team captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed full support for teammate Cody Gakpo after the forward suffered the loss of his unborn son. Van Dijk emphasized that while the team prepares for their upcoming World Cup round-of-16 match against Morocco, the sport of football remains secondary to personal life.
Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, shared the news of their loss on Saturday. In response, the Liverpool player was granted time away from the team to be with his family, who are currently stationed near the Dutch base in Kansas City. Van Dijk noted that the team is focused on providing whatever assistance Gakpo requires, praising the striker for his maturity during such a difficult time.
Head coach Ronald Koeman echoed these sentiments, confirming that staff and players have prioritized Gakpo’s well-being. Koeman stated that Gakpo was given the freedom to be with his loved ones, noting that the player has handled the situation with remarkable strength. Although the tragedy has drawn widespread sympathy from the sports community, Gakpo is still anticipated to participate in Monday’s match against Morocco.
