Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes that former players-turned-pundits hold a “responsibility” to guide younger footballers when offering their critiques on performance.
During an interview with Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, van Dijk expressed concern that some opinions risk becoming “clickbait” that provokes reactions without considering the impact on players’ mental well-being.
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“Personally, I can handle it, but I worry for the next generation,” Van Dijk stated.
This isn’t the first instance this season where van Dijk has voiced his views on player criticism.
In November, he criticized Wayne Rooney’s remarks about a lack of leadership contributing to Liverpool’s struggles, calling it “lazy criticism.” He reiterated this stance during a pitchside appearance on Amazon Prime after Liverpool’s 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Last month, punditry also came under scrutiny when former Manchester United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt made remarks about Lisandro Martinez, the current defender for the Red Devils.
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In the lead-up to the Manchester derby, Butt suggested that City striker Erling Haaland would treat Martinez like a “little toddler,” while Scholes remarked that Haaland could “throw him in the net” after scoring.
In response, Martinez noted that pundits “can discuss things on television” but “never say anything” to players directly.
‘Challenging’ to manage the pressure
“I believe former top players owe it to the younger generation to be responsible,” Van Dijk asserted.
“Criticism is a natural part of the game and should remain so.
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“However, some criticism has turned into clickbait, where comments are intended to provoke and overlook the mental impact on players, especially younger ones who are always engaged with social media.”
“It’s easy to say, ‘you should avoid social media’—I’ve told them this numerous times.
“Young players often soak in praise after a good performance but face a barrage of negative feedback on social media when they don’t play well, which can take a toll on their mental health.
“I’ve observed this in various players before and continue to see it today; it’s not simple.”
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With the increasing dominance of social media, the 34-year-old added, “The situation is likely to worsen, given today’s platforms filled with clickbait and sensational headlines accessible to everyone.”
“I feel that especially former professional players, who have navigated these challenges, bear the responsibility of safeguarding that aspect of the game.”
“This is an area that definitely deserves consideration.”