Who is Virgil Van Dijk’s wife Rike Nooitgedagt? Meet the Netherlands and Liverpool defender’s spouse

NETHERLANDS captain Virgil Van Dijk is married to his childhood sweetheart Rike Nooitdagt.

As the star defender readies himself to take on England in the Euro 2024 semi-final we take a look at his life off-field.

The Netherland's skipper has received support from another fellow Dutch sportsman ahead of Netherlands showdown with England in the Euro Semi-finals Wednesday July 10 20:00.

Max Verstappen has backed his friend Vijk as he prepares to renew the rivalry in Dortmund on Wednesday between him and England star striker Harry Kane.

Kane regularly collided with the Liverpool defender during his Tottenham days and boasts an impressive record against the 33-year-old defender.

The England captain scored six goals in 10 appearances against the previous PFA Player of the Year 2019.

The battle of the captains will be crucial in which team makes it to the finals.

Who is Virgil Van Dijk’s wife Rike Nooitgedagt?

Not much is known about Rike Nooitgedagt because she has no online presence, with her social media accounts seemingly deactivated.

Unlike most WAG's of premiere league players, she has chosen to shy away from the spotlight.

Rike was a successful Fashion Sales Manager before sacrificing her career to move to Scotland and with Van Dijk when he was offered a contract with Celtic in 2013.

Speaking at the time she said: "I worked as a sales manager and sold different fashion brands to the stores in Holland. I loved it but had to resign to follow my man everywhere football takes him to.

"So far, we've been settling well and having adventures with our lovely dog."

How long have Virgil Van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt been together?

The Liverpool star and his wife Nooitgedagt grew up together in Breda, Netherlands.

The pair are childhood sweethearts and have remained together since they began dating as teenagers.

When did Virgil Van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt get married?

The happy couple tied the knot in 2017 while the star Van Dijk was still playing for Southampton FC.

After Van Dijk's defensive talents were quickly spotted and he was shifted to the back marking his career as a strong-defender.

His journey has taken him to Scotland and the South Coast of England before his switch to Merseyside.

And his long-term partner Rike Nooitgedag, and the couple's dog, have been there every step of the way.

In 2018 he signed a record-breaking deal with Liverpool for £75million.

Do  Virgil Van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt have children?

Virgil van Dijk and Rike Nooitgedagt share two children together.

They cemented their love for each other back in 2014 with the birth of a daughter - although it was rather eventful.

Rike was due in September of that year, but the expected date was at the same time as Van Dijk received his first-ever senior international call-up.

Desperate not to miss the arrival of his first child, the star arranged for his girlfriend to have the birth induced.

The pitter patter of tiny feet into their household went smoothly, but Van Dijk was forced to wait for his Dutch bow after not being selected.

That moment did eventually arrive a year later when he won his first cap in October 2015 against Kazakhstan, just months after his switch to the Premier League.

In 2016, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Jadi.

The are currently raising the youngsters in Liverpool, where Virgil is a star defender.

The pair have made no secret of their affection for one another, with the WAG declaring alongside a snap of the pair: "I love you not only for who you are but for who I am when I'm with you."

While Virgil wrote alongside a pic of them on holiday: "You are the love of my life!"