Virgil van Dijk‘s remarkable consistency at the pinnacle of world football has been recognized once again, with the Liverpool and Netherlands captain earning his fifth selection to the prestigious FIFPRO Men’s World 11. The announcement, made earlier this month, places the 33-year-old defender among the most decorated players in the award’s 20-year history and underscores his enduring excellence in an era dominated by attacking talent.
Peer Recognition: The Ultimate Validation
What makes the FIFPRO World 11 particularly meaningful is the selection process itself. Unlike many football awards determined by journalists, coaches, or fan votes, this honor comes directly from fellow professionals. More than 26,000 footballers from around the globe participated in voting to determine the best 11 players across the period from August 2024 to July 2025, making it one of the most comprehensive peer-reviewed recognitions in world sport.
Van Dijk’s appreciation for this distinction was evident in his response to the honor. “It’s an amazing feeling to be part of the FIFPRO World 11 again,” the Dutch international stated. “Recognition from your fellow players is the best recognition, I think, you can get because obviously you play against each other [and] obviously they go through a lot of things that we are going through as well in the current game.”
His words reveal a fundamental truth about professional football: those who compete at the highest level possess unique insight into what excellence truly means. When a player like Van Dijk receives the endorsement of thousands of professionals who face the same pressures, scrutiny, and challenges, it carries weight that transcends statistics or highlight reels. These are individuals who understand the physical demands, tactical complexities, mental fortitude, and sustained consistency required to perform at the elite level week after week, season after season.
The Liverpool captain further emphasized this point by drawing parallels with another peer-voted honor. “Any recognition is great but together with the PFA Team of the Year – I think those two, when you get voted for by your fellow players, mean a lot. It’s something that I don’t take for granted.” This humility, combined with his obvious pride in the achievement, reflects the character that has made Van Dijk not just an exceptional player but also a respected leader within the game.
Historical Context: Joining Football’s Elite
Van Dijk’s fifth FIFPRO World 11 selection places him in rarefied air within football’s pantheon. Since the award’s inception in 2005, only nine players have been selected more frequently than the Dutchman. This group represents the absolute cream of two decades of world football, names that define generations and whose legacies are already secured in the sport’s history.
Perhaps even more striking is the company Van Dijk keeps among those with exactly five selections. Only three other players have achieved this specific milestone: legendary Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, and former England captain John Terry. This quartet represents excellence across different positions, nationalities, and playing styles, yet they share the common thread of sustained world-class performance over extended periods.
Casillas, a World Cup and multiple Champions League winner with Spain and Real Madrid, is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. His five selections spanning from 2008 to 2012 captured a golden era for both club and country. John Terry’s five inclusions between 2005 and 2010 coincided with Chelsea’s domestic dominance and established him as the premier center-back of his generation in English football.
Kevin De Bruyne’s five selections reflect his status as the most complete midfielder of the modern era, a player whose vision, technical ability, and productivity have redefined creative midfield play. That Van Dijk stands alongside these icons speaks volumes about his impact on the game and his consistency at the very highest level.
A Timeline of Excellence
Van Dijk’s FIFPRO World 11 selections tell the story of a career trajectory that has reached and maintained extraordinary heights. His first inclusion came in 2019, the year he won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award and finished runner-up in the Ballon d’Or voting. That season saw Liverpool win the Champions League, with Van Dijk’s commanding presence at the heart of defense proving instrumental.
The 2020 selection reflected continued excellence as Liverpool romped to the Premier League title, their first league championship in 30 years. Van Dijk’s partnership with Joe Gomez formed one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in European football, as the Reds set numerous defensive records en route to the title.
His absence from the 2021 World 11 corresponded with the serious knee injury that kept him out for most of that season, a reminder of how crucial his presence is to any team he represents. His return to the 2022 team marked a triumphant comeback from injury, demonstrating that he had lost none of his elite qualities despite the lengthy layoff.
The 2024 and 2025 selections confirm that Van Dijk has maintained his world-class status well into his thirties, an age when many defenders begin to decline. Instead, the Dutch captain has combined his physical attributes with increasing tactical intelligence and leadership qualities, evolving his game to remain among the world’s best.
The Modern Defender’s Blueprint
Van Dijk’s repeated recognition in the FIFPRO World 11 reflects his status as the prototype modern defender. Standing at 6’4″ with exceptional athletic ability, he possesses the physical tools to dominate aerial duels—his 90 successful aerial contests in the current season demonstrate this ongoing strength. Yet his game extends far beyond physical dominance.
His technical ability on the ball has revolutionized what teams expect from center-backs. Van Dijk’s composure in possession, range of passing, and ability to break defensive lines with forward passes make him effectively an additional midfielder when Liverpool build from the back. This comfort on the ball allows his team to play out from pressure and transition quickly from defense to attack.
Tactically, Van Dijk reads the game at an elite level. His positioning allows him to intercept danger before it develops, while his communication organizes the entire defensive unit. As captain of both Liverpool and the Netherlands, his leadership qualities have proven as valuable as his playing ability, providing stability and authority that elevate those around him.
His two goals in 17 appearances this season also highlight his threat from set pieces, adding another dimension to his already comprehensive skillset. In the modern game where center-backs are expected to contribute throughout the pitch, Van Dijk represents the complete package.
Sustained Excellence in a Demanding Era
What makes Van Dijk’s five FIFPRO World 11 selections particularly impressive is the era in which they’ve been achieved. Modern football places unprecedented physical and tactical demands on players. The intensity of pressing systems, the congested fixture schedules, and the tactical sophistication of opponents make sustained excellence increasingly difficult.
The voting period for the 2025 team—August 2024 to July 2025—encompasses a particularly demanding schedule including domestic competitions, European fixtures, and international tournaments. That Van Dijk has maintained his level throughout this period, performing consistently for both club and country, speaks to his professionalism, fitness, and mental resilience.
At 33 years old, an age when many players experience decline, Van Dijk continues to perform at a level that earns recognition from tens of thousands of his peers worldwide. This longevity at the elite level reflects not just natural talent but dedication to conditioning, recovery, tactical development, and the mental aspects of performance.
Recognition Beyond Individual Glory
Van Dijk’s humble acknowledgment that he doesn’t take such recognition for granted reveals an important aspect of his character. Despite his individual accolades, he has consistently emphasized team success over personal glory. His leadership at Liverpool has been characterized by this selfless approach, prioritizing the collective over individual recognition.
This mindset has endeared him to teammates, managers, and supporters alike. While his trophy cabinet includes Premier League titles, Champions League glory, and now five FIFPRO World 11 selections, Van Dijk’s greatest impact may be in how he’s elevated those around him. Young defenders at Liverpool benefit from his guidance, while his presence allows teammates to perform with greater confidence knowing they have such a commanding figure behind them.
Looking Forward
As Van Dijk continues his career at Liverpool, his fifth FIFPRO World 11 selection serves as both recognition of past excellence and validation of his ongoing elite status. With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts this season and the Dutch national team building toward future tournaments, Van Dijk’s leadership and performance remain crucial.
His place among the select group of five-time World 11 honorees is secure, but one suspects Van Dijk’s competitive nature means he’s already focused on earning a sixth selection. If his current form is any indication, that ambition remains well within reach.
For Liverpool supporters and football fans worldwide, Van Dijk’s continued excellence provides the opportunity to witness one of the generation’s finest defenders at work. His combination of physical prowess, technical ability, tactical intelligence, and leadership makes him a complete player whose influence extends far beyond individual statistics.
Conclusion
Virgil van Dijk’s fifth FIFPRO Men’s World 11 selection represents more than just another individual honor. It confirms his status among football’s elite, places him in historical company with legends of the game, and validates the respect he commands from fellow professionals worldwide. In an era where defenders often operate in the shadow of attacking stars, Van Dijk has elevated his position to receive recognition typically reserved for forwards and midfielders.
His appreciation for peer recognition, combined with his humility in not taking such honors for granted, reflects the character that has made him not just an exceptional player but a role model within the sport. As he continues to perform at the highest level for both Liverpool and the Netherlands, Van Dijk’s legacy as one of the finest defenders in football history becomes increasingly secure.
The thousands of professional footballers who voted for him understand what many casual observers might miss: that Van Dijk’s excellence isn’t captured merely in highlight reels or statistics, but in the week-to-week consistency, tactical intelligence, leadership, and sheer presence that define truly great players. Their recognition, as Van Dijk himself acknowledges, is indeed the best recognition a player can receive.
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