Dutch Madridistas

Six men from the Netherlands have played for Real Madrid

Real Madrid's three latest signings, Sneijder, Robben and Drenthe, have joined Metgod, Seedorf and Van Nistelrroy in the list of Dutchmen to have played for the Club. Sneijder and Drenthe have already hinted at a brilliant career at Real Madrid.

METGOD: THE FORERUNNER
On 20 July 1982, Alfredo di Stéfano became Real Madrid's coach and signed the Argentine Acosta, Juan José, Paco Bonet and Metgod, the first Dutchman to play for the Club.

Johannes Antonius Bernardus Metgod was born in Amsterdam on 27 February 1958. After playing for Haarlen, he signed for AZ`67. After his spell on that team, he joined Real Madrid. He was a centre back with good touch on ball, but a bit slow. He played 86 games in his two seasons with Real Madrid (1982-1984) and scored nine goals. After leaving the Club, he signed for Nottigham Forest, where he stayed for three years. He retired in 1988 after spending one season at Tottenham.


SEEDORF: WORLD CLASS PLAYER
The quality and character Clarence Seedorf showcased as a teenager made him one of the most precocious Dutch players in history. Louis van Gaal allowed him to make his debut with Ajax when he was just 16 years old. Four years later, he signed for Real Madrid; he was only 20, but already a veteran.

Seedorf was born in Paramarbo, Suriname, on 1 April 1976. He adapted quickly to the team and became one of the pillars of a champion side. He won the League in his first season at the Club (1996/97). His great skill down the wings and his great power have made him a true world class player.

He played 159 matches and scored 20 goals with the Whites, winning one League, one Spanish Super Cup, one Champions League and one Intercontinental Cup, becoming a true fan favourite. In 1999 he signed for Inter Milan. The Dutchman is still successful in Italian football. He currently plays for Milan, with whom he won the Champions League last season.

VAN NISTELROOY: A TRUE GOAL-SCORER
Van Nistelrooy has been top scorer in Holland, England and Spain. He won the Pichichi in his first season witht he Whites, scoring a total of 25 strikes. He is no doubt a true goal-scorer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was born in Oss on 7 July 1976. He signed for Heerenveen after playing for FC Den Bosch. Years later, on his 22nd birthday, he joined PSV Eindhoven, with whom he became top scorer in the Dutch League with 31 goals.

In March 2001, he signed for Manchester United, with whom he once again became top scorer with 25 strikes in his second season (2002/03).

Not only did he score a total of 150 goals in the Premiership, but he even broke ManU's Dannis Law's 29 strike European Cup record.

Ruud signed for Real Madrid in August 2006. His drive and his goals have made him a fan favourite. In only one year, he's won the Pichichi trophy and the Spanish League.

SNEIJDER: AMAZING QUALITY
Snejder grew up watching the stars of the legendary Ajax side of the 1990s. He began proving his worth as a child, when he trained close to Kluivert, Davids, Kanu, and the De Boer brothers, hoping to be like them one day.

Born in Utrech on 9 June 1984, he was signed for Ajax's youth system by Danny Blind after he saw him play on the streets. Sneijder made his debut with Ajax when he was only 15 years old and became an unquestionable starter in the 2002/03 season.

Five seasons at the club made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. His brilliant touch on ball, his excellent shots and his brilliant set piece delivery got Real Madrid interested and they eventually signed him this summer. He has just started his spell at the Club and has already become a player revered by the fans.

ROBBEN: A QUALITY LEFT WINGER
Arjen Robben was born in Berdum on 23 January 1984. He joined Groningen's youth system when he was 16 years old and scored 50 goals with the second team. This got him promoted to the First Division.

His brilliant career soared at Groningen and, later, at PSV Eindhoven. He signed for Chelsea when he hit 20 and signed for the Whites three years later.

He is a rare left winger in today's football, capable of running close to the border line, of dribbling past any player and scoring beautiful goals with his great skill. He has showcased his brilliant technique on the Dutch national team.

DRENTHE: THE JEWEL OF ROTTERDAM
Drenthe started playing on Feyenoord's youth system, where he shined as a brilliantleft winger and midfielder.

He was born in Rotterdam on 8 April 1988. His great quality boomed in the 2006/07 season, during which he became an essential player for Feyenoord's first team and Holland's Under-21 side, with whom he won the European Championship this summer, earning Best Player honours.

In his short career, Drenthe has proved to have brilliant technique, amazing speed and a powerful shot. There hasn't been such a versatile young player in a very long time.



Report by Luis Miguel González
Photography: Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

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