Virgil van Dijk speaks out after former club honour him with emotional tribute
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Virgil van Dijk launches youth tournament at Willem II
Virgil van Dijk has inaugurated a new youth football tournament named the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy, held for the first time at the academy of Willem II—the club where Van Dijk began his career.
The event is an international under-13 competition, taking place in September 2025 in Tilburg, the Netherlands. It gathers 16 elite youth teams from top European clubs such as Liverpool, Ajax, Arsenal, Juventus, PSG, Inter Milan, Celtic, PSV, Manchester City, FC Groningen, and Feyenoord.
The tournament is designed exclusively for players born after January 1, 2013. Matches are played 11-a-side, featuring a group stage followed by knockout rounds, ensuring each team competes in multiple high-quality fixtures. The finals are hosted at the prestigious Koning Willem II Stadium.
More than just a competition, the Virgil’s Legacy Trophy reflects Van Dijk’s passion for youth development and excellence. It provides young footballers with exposure to elite-level competition, international camaraderie, and top-tier professionalism including pitch standards and officiating. The project was developed in partnership with entities like Orange Veins, emphasizing its commitment to inspiring future generations.
This tribute to Van Dijk’s legacy aims to give back to the sport by creating a platform where aspiring talents can compete at the highest standard on a stage that once nurtured Van Dijk himself.
The inaugural tournament promises to be a milestone in youth football, celebrating the promise, passion, and enduring influence of one of the game’s greatest defenders.
PP