Famous Dutch Football Players

Patrick Kluivert was one of the star Dutch footballers of his time who played as a striker for clubs such as Ajax, Barcelona, and AC Milan. The UEFA Euro 2000 Golden Boot winner has also managed teams such as Netherlands and Cameroon. He later held administrative positions at Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

Widely considered one of the best Dutch soccer players of all time, Arjen Robben is known for his long-range shots, ball control, speed, and dribbling skills. He helped his national team reach the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which they lost to Spain.

Nathan Aké is a Dutch football player who plays for the Netherlands national football team and Manchester City. In 2019, he helped his national team win the runner-up trophy at the UEFA Nations League. Nathan Aké was also part of the Manchester City Football Club that won the Premier League in 2021 and 2022.    

Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk plays as a defender for Liverpool and has won several titles, such as a Premier League, with them. Starting his senior career with Groningen, he later played for teams such as Celtic and Southampton. He is the only defender to be named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

Ruud Gullit is a Dutch former football player. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of football, Gullit was known for his versatility as he could play as an attacking midfielder, forward, or midfielder. During the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship, he led his national team to its first title.

Once one of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Dutch football coach and retired footballer Robin van Persie is also known as one of the greatest strikers of his time. He had successful stints with Arsenal and Manchester United and was also part of the Dutch squad that was the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up.

Dutch football coach and retired player Dennis Bergkamp had a successful playing career with clubs such as Ajax, Arsenal, and Inter Milan. Initially a midfielder, he later played as a striker. The 2-time FIFA World Player of the Year bronze winner also gained the nickname the Non-Flying Dutchman for his fear of flying.

Dutch footballer Ryan Babel who plays as both a striker and a midfielder, currently represents the Turkish club Eyüpspor. Starting his senior career with Ajax, he won both the KNVB Cup and the Eredivisie twice with them. He was also part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up Dutch team.

Dutch football coach and retired footballer Jaap Stam is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his time. Starting his senior career with FC Zwolle, he later had successful stints with clubs such as Manchester United, Ajax, and PSV. Post-retirement, he has also coached teams such as Reading and PEC Zwolle.

Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch retired football player who played for the Netherlands national football team from 2004 to 2014. He represented his country at important tournaments, including the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups. In 2006, he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year. Dirk Kuyt was also an important player for popular clubs like Liverpool and Fenerbahçe. 

Clarence Seedorf is a Dutch former football player. Widely considered one of the best midfielders of his era, Seedorf was included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. Having won several continental and domestic titles for clubs in the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, and Spain, Clarence Seedorf is one of the most celebrated and decorated Dutch players of all time.

Guus Hiddink is a Dutch retired footballer who played as a midfielder. He retired as a player in 1982 and started focusing on his career as a manager. Hiddink achieved immense success as a manager as he guided many clubs and countries to achieve various titles. In 2005 and 2006, Guus Hiddink was honored with the prestigious Rinus Michels Award.

Dutch footballer Georginio Wijnaldum plays as a midfielder for the Italian club Roma and the French club Paris Saint-Germain. Starting his youth career with Feyenoord, as the youngest-ever player of the club, he later had successful stints with Liverpool and PSV and was the 2014 FIFA World Cup third-place-winning Dutch squad.

Dutch footballer Memphis Depay is best known as a forward for Barcelona. Starting his senior career with PSV Eindhoven, he later also played for Manchester United and Lyon. He was also part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup third-place-winning Dutch squad and was the Eredivisie top scorer in 2014-15.

Frenkie de Jong is a Dutch football player who is currently playing for his national team. In 2019, he was part of the team that won the runner-up trophy at the UEFA Nations League. Renowned for his technique, attacking prowess, passing, and dribbling skills, Frenkie de Jong has also been an important player for Barcelona since 2019.

Dutch footballer Matthijs de Ligt currently plays for Serie A club Juventus and the Netherlands national team as a center-back. Making his debut in 2016, he became the youngest player ever to play in a major European final the following year. Football pundits consider him to among the most highly regarded young prospects in world football.

Ajax CEO and retired Dutch footballer Edwin van der Sar began his senior career with Ajax, winning countless titles with them, such as the Eredivisie and the UEFA Champion’s League. The talented goalkeeper later had successful stints with Juventus, Fulham, and Manchester United. He has also been a 2-time Best European Goalkeeper.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is a Dutch former football player who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the history of football. In 2004, he was included in Pele's FIFA 100 list. Ruud van Nistelrooy played for the Netherlands national football team from 1998 to 2011, during which he represented the team in several important tournaments.

Retired Dutch footballer Wesley Sneijder was known as one of the best midfielders of his time. Starting his senior career with Ajax, he later had successful stints with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. He was also part of the Dutch squad that became the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up.

Retired Dutch footballer Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who played as a striker, had successful stints with club such as Ajax and Schalke 04, winning the KNVB Cup thrice with the former, among other championships. He was also part of the Dutch squad that became the runner-up at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Nordin Amrabat is a Dutch-born Moroccan football player. After representing the Dutch national team at youth levels, Amrabat went on to play for the Morocco national team from 2011 to 2019. He played for Morocco in important tournaments like Africa Cup of Nations and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Nordin Amrabat currently plays for AEK Athens.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Dutch former football player who played for the Netherlands national football team from 1998 to 2002. He also played for popular clubs like Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. After retiring as a player, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pursued a career as a football manager. He has managed teams like Burton Albion, Queens Park Rangers, and Northampton Town.

Dutch football coach and former footballer Dick Advocaat was a midfielder and defender in his playing days. He was 18 when he began his senior career and later had successful stints with clubs such as PSV Eindhoven and Rangers. His 2008 UEFA Cup with with Zenit earned him an honorary citizenship of St. Petersburg.

Dutch footballer Vivianne Miedema is a forward for Arsenal Women FC. She is regarded as one of the world’s greatest strikers and has also had a successful stint with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga twice with them. She was named the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2021.

Patrick van Aanholt is a Dutch footballer who plays for the Netherlands national team. In 2019, he was part of the team that won the silver medal at the UEFA Nations League. He also represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020. Patrick van Aanholt has also played for popular clubs like Sunderland and Crystal Palace. He currently plays for Galatasaray.

Dutch formerfootball  player Ronald Koeman was one of the stars of the Netherlands national team during his playing days. After his retirement, he became a professional football manager and is currently the head coach of La Liga club Barcelona. Tremendously successful as a head coach, he was made the manager of Barcelona in 2020.

Quincy Promes is a Dutch football player who plays for the Netherlands national football team as an attacking midfielder or striker. In 2019, he helped his team win the silver medal at the UEFA Nations League. In 2017, Quincy Promes was named Futbol Footballer of the Year, Sport Express Footballer of the Year, and Soccer Footballer of the Year.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a Dutch former football player who played as a midfielder and defender for the Netherlands national football team from 1996 to 2010. He helped his team win the runner-up trophy at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Apart from his national team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst also played for popular clubs like Barcelona and Arsenal.

Born in Suriname, footballer Edgar Davids moved to the Netherlands as an infant and grew up to start his youth football career with Ajax. The retired Dutch defensive midfielder had successful stints with Ajax, Juventus, and Inter Milan. He also played for the Dutch national team, which he now serves as an assistant coach.

Danny Blind is a Dutch former footballer who played as a defender for the Netherlands national football team from 1986 to 1996. An important player for the Netherlands, Blind competed at major tournaments including two World Cups and two European Championships. After retiring as a player, Danny Blind established himself as a manager for teams like Ajax and the Netherlands.

Tim Krul is a Dutch football player who plays for the Netherlands national football team and Norwich City. In 2014, he was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup. Over the years, Tim Krul has also played for other popular teams like Newcastle United and Falkirk.

Dutch footballer Lieke Martens plays as a winger/midfielder for the French club Paris Saint-Germain Féminine. She was 5 when she began training in football. She has won the 2020-21 UEFA Women's Champions League with Barcelona and was part of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up Dutch squad.

Michel Vorm is a Dutch retired football player who played as a goalkeeper for the Netherlands national football team between 2008 and 2014. He was part of the team that won the silver medal and bronze medal at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup, respectively. Michel Vorm also played for prominent clubs like Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The son of former footballer and coach Johan Cruyff, Jordi Cruyff too has been a talented footballer in his own right and is now a coach. The retired Dutch attacking midfielder is now the sporting director of Barcelona. As a player, he has had successful stints with Barcelona and Manchester United.