Sepp van den Berg has received his first call-up to the Netherlands national team, replacing captain Virgil van Dijk for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Germany.
The 24-year-old Brentford defender, who was enjoying a short break in Marrakech when the news broke, joins the squad following a series of roster adjustments, according to reporting by Voetbal International and VoetbalPrimeur. His arrival at the Zeist training camp marks a significant milestone in a career that has navigated both high-profile moves and severe physical setbacks.
A Missed Call in Marrakech
The transition from a holiday in Morocco to the national team camp happened rapidly. According to VoetbalPrimeur, Van den Berg initially ignored a phone call on Monday morning, assuming it was an unwanted interruption during his four-day leave from club duties.
"I didn’t pick up because I thought, ‘I’m on vacation, nobody should be calling me,’" Van den Berg told the official Dutch national team channels, as reported by Voetbal International. After receiving a follow-up text message, he quickly returned the call and arranged travel to the Netherlands. He arrived at the training camp on Monday evening and joined the squad for his first session on Wednesday.
From Zwolle to the Premier League
Van den Berg’s path to the national side began at PEC Zwolle, where he developed as a youth prospect before securing a move to Liverpool at age 17 in 2019, as noted by Hart van Nederland. During his time at Anfield, he formed a close professional bond with Van Dijk.
"Virgil van Dijk made sure I felt welcome," Van den Berg told the Brentford club website in May. He recalled how Van Dijk instructed the kit man to place his locker next to his own on the first day, a gesture that helped the teenager adjust to the demands of a top-tier English club.
Van Den Berg Faced Mental and Physical Challenges
Despite the initial guidance from Van Dijk, Van den Berg’s tenure at Liverpool involved significant challenges. After his debut in the League Cup, he spent time with the reserves, a period he later described as mentally taxing due to the isolation of living alone, as reported by NOS Voetbal.
🇳🇱 Xavi has called up Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg to the Netherlands national team as replacement for Virgil van Dijk who is deemed not fit for this international break. pic.twitter.com/J1nZjSd3GR
The physical toll proved equally difficult. In 2022, while on loan at Schalke 04, Van den Berg suffered a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for six months. He described the recovery as a "horror injury" that left him emotionally drained and unable to watch football matches.
Brentford Move and Netherlands Call-Up Follow Recent Form
Following subsequent loan spells in Germany, including a stint at Mainz 05, Van den Berg moved to Brentford in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of 29 million euros, according to Hart van Nederland. He has since established himself as a regular starter for the Premier League side, a performance level that prompted his call-up as a replacement for the injured Van Dijk and Brian Brobbey.
The Netherlands are set to face Greece in Amsterdam on Friday, followed by an away match against Germany in Berlin on Monday. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 20:45 CET (19:45 UTC).
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