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Dutch Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and his wife Rieke Neutgedagt (left) arrive at the 2019 France Football Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Chatelet theater in Paris on December 2, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT/AFP) (Photo by ANNE-Christine POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Dutch star Virgil van Dijk is one of world football’s most iconic stars, and his wife Rieke Nooitgedagt has been by his side every step of the way. During the 2024 interview, Van Dijk spoke about how his wife has influenced his life as the face of the Liverpool and Dutch national teams.
“You know, obviously my mother played a very important role in this sense,” van Dijk explained at the time. “And when I obviously moved north and now met my wife, she was my soulmate and was always there and supported me through the good days and the bad.
“Because the season had a lot of bad days, injuries, things like that and difficult moments. And she had to be there to support me again and motivate me again. And at the end of the day, I’m a father too, and that’s life,” van Dijk continued.
“I’m a football player, but I go home and then I’m Papa Virgil. And that’s the most important thing in life.”
Here’s what you need to know about van Dyck and his wife.
Virgil van Dijk and wife Rike Neutgedagt are the proud parents of four children
GettyLiverpool No. 04 Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk (right) and his wife Rieke Neutgedagt pose on the red carpet as they arrive at the 2023-24 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards at the Opera House in Manchester, northern England, on August 20, 2024. (Photo by Darren Staples/AFP) (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
The couple are happy parents of four children. Back in 2022, Van Dijk spoke about his family through his partnership with Nike.
“When it comes down to it, I’m a regular family guy like everyone else,” Van Dijk noted in an August 28, 2022 Instagram post where he shared photos of himself playing with his children. “We love to relax, recover and just play together. We try to make the most of everything.
“For me it’s everything. Spontaneous moments of family play and the confidence of having a great time together. Life gets better with play 😎.”
Virgil van Dijk met wife Rieke in the Netherlands: ‘The basis of it all’
GettyDutch Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and his wife Rieke Neutgedagt (left) arrive at the 2019 France Football Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Chatelet theater in Paris on December 2, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Van Dijk is one of the most recognizable footballers in the world, but his wife prefers to keep a low profile. According to Marca, the couple have been childhood sweethearts.
Nooitgedagt is not only the backbone of the family, but also helps van Dyck with his fashion sense.
“He met his wife at home in Breda, in the southern Netherlands, long before he became a Ballon d’Or contender,” British Vogue’s Kerry McDermott wrote in a February 2026 profile.
Years later, she’s still “the core of it all,” he says, the mother of their four children – girls aged 11, nine and five, and a three-year-old son – of choice for that mysterious scent and the person he turns to when he’s digesting disappointment on the field, McDermott added.
“Being a dad keeps the epic highs and crushing lows of the top flight in perspective.”
Dutch star Virgil van Dijk: “There are so many more important things in life”
GettyDutch footballer Virgil Van Dijk and his wife Rieke Neutgedagt (L) pose on the red carpet as they arrive at the European premiere of The Lion King in London on July 14, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN/AFP) (Photo credit: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Van Dyck is not only a husband, but also a very experienced athlete. However, the football star prefers to be known as a father and husband.
“Many things in life are more important than what we do,” van Dijk told Vogue. “When it’s game time, I’m more than busy – I’m completely focused on the task at hand – but win or lose, I go home and it all comes back to Dad.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports writer covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been featured widely on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams