Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Mon 1 June 2026 13:00, UK

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has sent a message to former teammate James Milner after he announced his retirement from football on Monday morning.

Milner took to social media on Monday to confirm that he has retired from professional football following the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The 40-year-old featured for seven different clubs throughout a decorated career that began all the way back in 2002.

He broke the record for the most appearances in the Premier League in February, surpassing Gareth Barry with a 654th outing in the competition.

Milner was key to Liverpool’s success during his time at the club, and Van Dijk has now reached out to him on Instagram following his huge announcement.

Virgil van Dijk sends message to James Milner as retirement confirmed

Milner played 332 times for the Reds across an eight-year spell at the club after joining from Man City in 2015.

He won nearly every major trophy on offer during his time at Liverpool, including a maiden Champions League triumph in 2019 and a historic first Premier League title for the club in 2020.

Van Dijk dubbed Milner as “one of the legends of the Premier League” after he broke the all-time Premier League appearance record back in February.

The pair featured 165 times together for Liverpool between 2018 and 2023, meaning Van Dijk sits joint-ninth in Milner’s all-time teammate ranking for appearances made in unison.

He reacted to the 40-year-old’s emotional retirement message on Instagram on Monday by replying with clapping-hands and red heart emojis.

Who else has reacted to Milner’s retirement?

Milner was well-loved by fans of each of the six clubs that he featured in the top flight for, and it is clear to see that he made a huge impact on his past teammates too.

Sources told Football Insider that Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler wanted Milner to sign a new contract, but he has now decided to call time on his playing career.

Several more of his former Liverpool teammates also replied to his retirement announcement on Instagram, with Adam Lallana saying: “Congratulations my mate. Achieved it all and more!! Enjoy a rest for a day or so.”

Dejan Lovren also wrote: “What a career. Thank you for everything,” while Harry Wilson added: “Congrats mate. What a career and player.”

Many other famous faces sent messages to Milner, with former England teammate Frank Lampard saying: “Huge congratulations mate. What an incredible career,” while Robbie Keane wrote: “Congratulations on a great career mate.”