Virgil van Dijk Advocates for Mental Health Awareness in Football

Virgil van Dijk has expressed concerns regarding the influence of pundits’ opinions and social media reactions on the mental health of younger footballers.

The Liverpool captain emphasized that former players, who have transitioned into punditry, hold a “duty of responsibility” towards the emerging generation of athletes when assessing their performances. In a discussion with Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, Van Dijk pointed out that some commentary has veered into sensationalism, aimed at provoking reactions without considering the mental toll it may take on players.

“Personally, I can handle it, but I am genuinely worried for the next generation,” Van Dijk stated during the interview. This issue is not new for the Dutch defender; he has previously voiced similar concerns this season. In November, he criticized Wayne Rooney’s remarks about Liverpool’s struggles, describing them as “lazy criticism.”

Van Dijk reiterated this point during an Amazon Prime segment following Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, emphasizing the need for responsible commentary.

The role of pundits came under scrutiny again last month when former Manchester United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt made comments regarding Lisandro Martinez, a current defender for the team. Ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Butt suggested that City striker Erling Haaland would treat Martinez like a “little toddler,” while Scholes remarked that Haaland would “throw him in the net” after scoring.

In response to the criticism, Martinez noted that pundits often speak freely on television but do not address players directly. Van Dijk reiterated his belief that ex-professionals bear a responsibility towards the latest generation of players.

“Criticism is an integral part of the game, and it should remain that way. However, some of it crosses into clickbait territory, provoking reactions without considering the mental impact on players, especially younger ones who are constantly engaged with social media,” he remarked.

“While some may suggest that players should avoid social media, it is not that simple. After a good performance, young athletes may seek out praise, but when they have a poor game, the backlash on social media can be overwhelming, and it truly affects them. I have witnessed this in various players, both past and present, and it is a challenging situation.”

As social media continues to grow in influence, Van Dijk warned that the situation is likely to worsen. “With the prevalence of clickbait and sensational headlines, everyone is glued to these platforms. I believe that former professional players, particularly those who have experienced the ups and downs of the game, have a responsibility to safeguard younger players from some of these pressures. This is certainly an aspect worth examining.”