Ronald Koeman raised a smile befor answering. A scenario had just been painted for him in which The Netherlands were the inaugural winners of the Nations League, and his questioner wanted to know the implications.
‘We wouldn’t go crazy or anything like that,’ Koeman said. ‘It would just be a sign that we are moving in the right direction. Maybe there will be a nice glass of wine and then we go on holiday.’
This, clearly, would not be a victory to put Koeman’s group on a par with the side he played in that was crowned European champions in 1988.
A relaxed Virgil Van Dijk (left) talks to Quincy Promes during a training session on Saturday
There would, however, be implications for one of his biggest players if the Dutch can trump Portugal on their home soil.
Should Virgil van Dijk put the shackles on Cristiano Ronaldo, it would further enhance his prospects of winning the 2019 Ballon d’Or. The Liverpool defender has been magnificent over the past 12 months and another big performance in Porto this evening would make his case compelling.
In the last 25 years, the only defenders to win football’s biggest individual prize have been Matthias Sammer (1996) and Fabio Cannavaro (2006). Both were recognised after they had played significant roles for Germany and Italy when they were successful in major tournaments.
Virgil Van Dijk warms up with a resistance band as Holland prepare for Sunday's final
Van Dijk’s body of work this year has been remarkable — PFA Player of the Year in England, Man of the Match in the Champions League final — so that putting the blocks on Ronaldo would make the idea of him receiving the trophy in Paris in December even more credible.
‘Virgil has already had good season trying to stop everyone,’ said Gini Wijnaldum, his Liverpool teammate. ‘It is not up to us decide if he wins the Ballon d’Or, but he is the best defender in the world. Over what he has done this season, he definitely deserves the Ballon d’Or.
‘We are happy we are playing against Ronaldo. He is one of
