The Netherlands have rallied around Cody Gakpo after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, a loss that has overshadowed the team’s World Cup campaign.
Coach Ronald Koeman said the squad and staff did what they could to support the striker, while captain Virgil van Dijk said the situation has reminded the team that football comes second to life’s most important moments.
Team Support Around Gakpo
Gakpo’s partner, Noa van der Bij, shared news of the loss on social media on Saturday. Gakpo was then given time away from the team so he could be with family members staying near the squad base in Kansas City.
Koeman said the support was handled with care and respect. “We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff,” he said.
He also said Gakpo had time to be with his family during the first few days after the news. “Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well; there was never a moment where he said, ‘I want to go back, I want to be with the family.’”
Van Dijk Says Football Is Secondary
Van Dijk said he has great respect for the way Gakpo and his family have handled the situation, and he expects the forward to be ready for Monday’s match against Morocco in the last 32.
“The most important thing is to ask: ‘What do you need?’ It’s awful news and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life. It’s very sad but Cody deals with it,” he said.
“He’s very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this. However awful it is, I respect it very much.”
Gakpo has not commented publicly, but he is expected to play in Monday’s match. The Netherlands continue to balance their World Cup push with support for a striker dealing with a deeply personal loss.