Virgil van Dijk has told Louis van Gaal that the Netherlands national team will do everything to make the World Cup one he will 'never forget'.
The legendary manager, 70, announced on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Asked by reporters on Monday if Van Gaal keeping his diagnosis away from his players symbolised his personality, van Dijk said: "Yes definitely.
"I was also in shock last night when I heard his interview. He's getting his film out next week, so I was just wondering how he would promote it a little bit and speak about his life, and then obviously that was a big shock.
"I messaged him after the interview. It definitely says a lot about him. I said to him as well, he's probably not that type of guy that needs a lot of sympathy, that's how he is.
"But I told him as well that we are definitely going to be there for him as a group whenever he needs it, and hopefully we can also make it a World Cup for him to never forget."
The Oranje are drawn into Group A of the 2022 World Cup, in which they will face Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador.
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