Virgil van Dijk has gone from restaurant worker to Champions League winner - and he admits it is a journey he is "very proud of".
Van Dijk became the world’s most expensive defender - though he has now been usurped by Harry Maguire - when Liverpool paid Southampton £75million for the Dutchman in January 2018
It is a far cry from a decade before, when a 16-year-old Van Dijk washed dishes to make ends meet for a few Euros as he dreamed of making it as a professional footballer.
He initially plied his trade in his homeland with Groningen before Celtic came calling, with Van Dijk doing enough in Scotland to earn his dream move to the Premier League with the Saints in 2015.
The towering defender hasn't looked back - and has explained why he wouldn't change his route to the top.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It's been a good road so far that I have taken to where I am today, everything happens for a reason.
"I have come from hard work and a lot of dedication and that is something I am very proud of.
"It's something that should inspire a lot of young players that are out there that don't have the attributes of those who have been playing at the highest level since they were 16."
Indeed, Van Dijk was finally rewarded with silverware last season as he played a leading role in Liverpool's Champions League triumph over Tottenham.
He added: "There is another way to winning the Champions League. I am very proud of my journey so far and it has not finished yet.
"Winning the Champions League was surreal. I slept only one hour after, then we went straight back to Liverpool after that and then we went on the parade.
"I couldn't keep my eyes open; I was so tired, but it was an unbelievable night, something I will never forget.
"It was just incredible, from start to finish, it's something we all want to experience again, whether it's in the Premier League or next season in the Champions League.
"We will try and go again. Hopefully we can experience something similar in the future."
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