NewsWhy Ronaldinho was Virgil van Dijk's first football idol

The Liverpool captain, born in 1991, has of course gone on to become one of the most respected centre-backs of his own generation, winning a host of major honours since joining the club almost seven years ago.

But it was actually a flamboyant and talented attacker among Brazil’s best of all time with whom the young Van Dijk was bewitched.

In an interview with Star India this week, the Dutchman was asked for his earliest idol in the game and instantly replied: “Ronaldinho.”

Pressed to explain why, Van Dijk continued: “I played a lot of football on the streets when I was younger and obviously then you play multiple opponents and you play all over [the pitch].

“When I was younger I really liked to do the tricks, so yeah, he was my idol.”

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