Old Injury, New Chapter: Why Van Dijk’s Real Madrid Move Didn’t Happen

Context

A Spanish sports paper reports that the serious knee ligament injury Virgil van Dijk suffered in 2020 was the main reason his move to Real Madrid never materialized, despite his repeated attempts to fulfill his dream of wearing the white shirt.

According to AS, van Dijk did not bear any grudge toward Real Madrid, though many of his battles against the club ended in disappointments for Liverpool, including two Champions League finals losses in 2018 and 2022 and two other eliminations.

Nevertheless, the Dutch defender kept fighting until the last moment of the previous season hoping to land the Madrid dream.

During that period, van Dijks agents reached out to Spanish counterparts to forge a direct link with the club and reopen the door, but Real Madrids management stayed firm and did not respond to the approach.

Van Dijk waited almost until the final moment before accepting Liverpools renewal offer, signing the new contract on April 17 after the English club endured a tense spell and feared losing him.

Over those months he received several offers, some financially tempting like a proposal from Saudi side Al Hilal, but he rejected them all, preferring to wait for Real Madrids interest, which never arrived.

AS indicated the main reason Real Madrid did not sign him was the ACL injury, despite his complete recovery, as Madrids technical staff preferred to focus on other defensive targets, which later materialized in signing younger defender Din Hoissen.

During last Novembers Liverpool versus Real Madrid clash at Anfield, van Dijk showed a lighthearted side when asked about Madrids interest, replying that if they are seeking defenders they might already have one in Rudiger.

Now 34, van Dijk ultimately chose to stay with Liverpool, preferring to remain with the club that had helped him achieve major successes rather than embark on a new challenge, even though that move would have taken him to Santiago Bernabeu.

By contrast, teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold found a path toward Real Madrid at the end of last season, and returns today to his old ground for a Champions League showdown between Liverpool and Madrid.

Meanwhile, the name of French defender Ibrahima Konaté has emerged as a potential new target for the royal club, especially since his Liverpool contract runs out on June 30 and has not yet been renewed, keeping a Bernabeu move in the frame.

Van Dijk’s comments

Van Dijk has previously said he did not speak much with Alexander-Arnold since the latter joined Real Madrid, ahead of his expected return to Anfield.

The draw also brought Arnold back quickly to his boyhood club after a long summer of speculation about a move to Madrid, with the right back facing jeers from some Liverpool fans when the departure was announced.

Van Dijk told ESPN that he had not spoken much with Arnold since his departure, adding that they both live their lives.

"Arnold is a superb player, and he proved it many times; he was important for us," he said. "I was very happy to be with him, and we achieved great success, but tomorrow he will be our opponent, and if he plays we will have to make it hard for him."

Asked about a potentially hostile welcome at Anfield, Van Dijk replied that he would see what happens and that Arnold had been great at Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold has played 354 matches for Liverpool in all competitions and helped win many domestic and European titles.

Alexander-Arnold’s view

Arnold said he will always love Liverpool regardless of how he is received at Anfield next Tuesday.

In an interview with Prime Video Sport before the match, he said that when the draw was made, almost everyone felt the fixture was fate and that it was almost meant to happen.

He added that Madrid is a big club, and he knew he would face Liverpool again, whether at the Bernabeu or Anfield. It happened quickly, and he has mixed feelings but is very excited for the game.

Arnold also stated he would not celebrate if he scores against his former club.

Asked about the reception from Liverpool fans, he said: Whatever the reception, it is up to the fans.

He added that he will always love the club and remain a fan, grateful for the opportunities and memories they shared; those memories stay with him for life. He concluded that his feelings toward Liverpool will not change, regardless of the welcome he receives.

Punchline time: if patience were a transfer fee, Liverpool just paid top dollar and Real Madrid got a box of unspent optimism.
Punchline time 2: the only thing Real Madrid managed to transfer that day was a sense of humor, because Van Dijk is staying put and turning the clock on a blue sky transfer window into pure saga.