‘A World Cup to never forget’ - Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk chasing success for Louis van Gaal after cancer diagnosis

Virgil van Dijk has paid tribute to Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal after he revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and wants to give him a World Cup he will «never forget». Van Gaal, who shared the news on Dutch television on Sunday, admitted it would be the first time his players found out about his condition. Ad/> “I was in shock last night when I heard his interview," said Van Dijk.

FootballVan Gaal reveals prostate cancer diagnosis21 HOURS AGO “Obviously he’s getting his film out next week so I was just wondering how he would promote it a little bit and speak about his life and then obviously that was a big shock. “I messaged him after the interview. But it definitely says a lot about him.

I said to him as well that he’s not that type of guy that needs a lot of sympathy, that’s how he is. “But I told him as well that we are definitely going to be there for him as a group whenever he needs it, and hopefully we can also make it for him a World Cup to never forget.” Van Gaal is heading up the Dutch national team for the third time in his career and will step down after the Qatar World Cup. 'He'll always try and rocket it!' — Benfica dangerman Nunez, the forward everyone wants Atleti 'among the few teams in Europe who can beat Man City' — Inside Europe 'That's all I need' — Klopp content with Salah's contract talks with Liverpool Speaking on Dutch TV programme Humberto, Van Gaal said: “I think you don’t tell people you work with [the Dutch players] like that because it might influence their choices, their decisiveness, so I thought they shouldn’t know.

“You don’t die from prostate cancer, at least not in 90% of the cases. It is usually other underlying diseases that kill you. But I had a pretty aggressive form, got