Virgil van Dijk wrote his own WILL aged 20 when he nearly died from THREE potentially fatal diseases. During those dark days no-one believed he could be a top player... but now he's the world's best defender

Virgil van Dijk was only 20 years old when his football career came close to an end. Even his life was at risk.

In 2012, less than a year after making his professional debut in his native Holland, he fell ill.

The full extent of his condition did not become clear until his mother visited him at Groningen, the club where he became pro after coming through the academy at Willem II.

Virgil van Dijk during a photoshoot at Groningen shortly after making his debut in July 2011

Van Dijk suffered a ruptured appendix that required emergency surgery from doctors in 2012

VIRGIL VAN DIJK'S CAREER PATH

2009-10: Willem II

2010-13: Groningen

2013-15: Celtic

2015-18: Southampton

2018-Present: Liverpool

She took him to hospital where it was discovered that a ruptured appendix had caused appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection.