Connect with us
X
Categories:

Sports

Virgil van Dijk ‘disappointed’ with Sadio Mane to miss World Cup reunion

Published

on

Virgil van Dijk ‘disappointed’ with Sadio Mane to miss World Cup reunion
Share this post:

DOWNLOAD MP3 SONG

Virgil van Dijk says he is extremely disappointed that he will be unable to play against former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane at the World Cup.

Van Dijk’s Netherlands and Mane’s Senegal have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Qatar and Ecuador, and will face off against each other on Monday in their opening game of the tournament.

However, Mane who moved from Liverpool to Bayern Munich over the summer, will not be on the pitch having picked up a tendom injury while playing for his club.

Initially the forward was ruled out for the entire World Cup, only for the Senegal skipper to then be included in their 26-man squad with reports emerging that witch doctors had been employed to speed up his recovery.

While he is set to miss the game against Holland, the 30-year-old may well be fit enough to play some part in the remaining group games.

Dutch captain Van Dijk hopes that is the case but admitted that he is gutted for Mane having previously been in a similar predicament.

‘I was feeling sad for him, first and foremost. I’m not happy in this case as I’ve been in that situation where I missed the Euros,’ the 31-year-old said.

‘We as players work so hard to get to this stage and he has been such an important figure in that group for their country.

‘I know for a fact that he will put a brave face on it, but it’s tough and I feel sorry for him.’

Mane and Van Dijk were key players in Liverpool’s great success over the past four years, winning the Premier League and Champions League together.

Despite long-being considered the best centre-back in the world, Qatar 2022 is actually Van Dijk’s first major international tournament as the Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and World 2018, while the player missed Euro 2020 thanks to a lengthy injury.

‘For me it is a boyhood dream. I’m really excited about playing against the best players in world football, leading out my country and representing my country in the best way possible,’ Van Dijk added.

‘I’m 31 now but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to enjoy this as much and maybe it is an even better time for me to go there because of everything that I have experienced and also we have a great group so I am very excited about it.’

The Netherlands and Senegal are favourites to qualify from Group A and if they do so could face England or Wales in the round-of-16.


Get More Stories Like This On: Facebook: @AllNaijaEntertainment, Twitter: @AllNaijaEntertainment
Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh - The Earlier The Better
Music4 weeks ago

[Music] Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh – The Earlier The Better

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola's place at Manchester City
Sports4 weeks ago

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola’s place at Manchester City

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’
Sports4 weeks ago

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements
News4 weeks ago

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win
News4 weeks ago

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko
News4 weeks ago

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024

'Phoenix Fury' bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF
Entertainment4 weeks ago

‘Phoenix Fury’ bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally
Technology4 weeks ago

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life
Technology4 weeks ago

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim
Sports4 weeks ago

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight
Sports4 weeks ago

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight

IG orders punishment for errant cops
News4 weeks ago

IG orders punishment for errant cops

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP
News4 weeks ago

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun
News4 weeks ago

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola
Entertainment4 weeks ago

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy's Grammy nominations.
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s Grammy nominations

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung's rival iPhone 17 Air
Technology4 weeks ago

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung’s rival iPhone 17 Air

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide
Technology4 weeks ago

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job
Sports4 weeks ago

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam
Sports4 weeks ago

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna
News4 weeks ago

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments
News4 weeks ago

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee
News4 weeks ago

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment4 weeks ago

2025 GRAMMY: Academy unveils category changes ahead of nomination event

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Final Episode 13)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 12)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 11)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 10)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 09)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 08)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 07)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 06)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 05)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 04)

ANE Billboard Hots



Join "ANE sabi" clique

Don't miss a thing, get ogbonge ANE latest updates to fuel your conversation daily.