Netherlands defender, Virgil van Dijk, has sympathized with Senegal forward Sadio Mane ahead of both sides’ FIFA World Cup tie on Monday.

Van Dijk said he feels sorry for Mane, who will not feature for Senegal against the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar following his recent injury woes.

Van Dijk and Mane are former Liverpool teammates before the forward left Anfield for Bayern Munich in the summer.

Recall that a board member at the Senegal Football Association has confirmed that Mane will miss Senegal’s “first game” at the World Cup because of a leg injury he sustained while playing for Bayern Munich.

Earlier this week, Bayern Munich confirmed in a statement on their official website that Mane had suffered an injury to his right fibula.

However, Van Dijk said he is not happy that Mane will miss Senegal’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands.

“I don’t think he will play (against the Netherlands). I was feeling sad for him, first and foremost. I’m not happy in this case as I’ve been in a situation where I missed the Euros. We as players work so hard to get to this stage and he has been such an important figure in that group for their country,” Van Dijk said (via The Independent).

“I know for a fact that he will put a brave face on it, but it’s tough and I feel sorry for him.”

Netherlands and Senegal are in Group A at the World Cup with Qatar and Ecuador.