POWER TRIP

■ attributes of those who have been playing at the highest level since they were 16.

“I show that there is another way to winning the Champions League.”

He revealed he was on the verge of being released by his first club Willem II at the tender age of 16.

“There was a period at Willem II at 16 when I was on the verge of not going through to the next year of the academy,” he said.

“I moved to Groningen and went from a boy into a man.

“We were living in an apartment block where other players lived, and I remember during pre-season everyone went to the first team and I was the only one in our little group that went to the Under-23s.

“I had a feeling that I needed to work harder because I wanted to make my debut as soon as possible. It was tough but all these small things have made me who I am today. I appreciate everything.”

But it was a long journey to that memorable night in Madrid, when Tottenham were beaten 2-0 with Van Dijk winning the man-of-thematch award.

He added: “Winning the Champions League was surreal. It was an unbelievable night, something I will never forget.

“It was incredible from start to finish, something we all want to experience again, whether it’s in the Premier League or next season in the Champions League. We will try again.

“Obviously now we are in a very fortunate position to hopefully get it over the line when things start moving.

“We are making big progress as a team and I have definitely made big progress myself as well.”