He began his career at AFC Ajax academy and famous since its debut 17 years, Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. Van der Vaart is famous for his death, finish off and the capacity to use both feet well. After his appearance in the Premier League in 2010-11 season with Tottenham Hotspur, van der Vaart was nominated for the PFA Player Players' of the Year, along with team-mate and ultimately champion, Gareth Bale
Personal Information
Full name : Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart
Date of birth : 11 February 1983 (age 28)
Place of birth : Heemskerk, Netherlands
Height : 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position : attacking midfielder
Club Information
Current club : Tottenham Hotspur
Number : 11
Early life
Van der Vaart was born in Heemskerk to a Dutch father and a Spanish mother from Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz. Before joining AFC Ajax, he played for a local club De Called Kennemers based in Beverwijk. He grew up on a caravan park living a "gypsy life" and pretended to be Romario Often while playing football. He watched the Classic Premier League as a youth. It was at the caravan park That he learned how to play football and, at the age of 10, he joined the AFC Ajax Academy.
Club career
Ajax
Van der Vaart came through the ranks at Ajax with national teammates John Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder. At the age of 17, Van der Vaart made his debut for the Ajax senior side in a 1-1 draw with FC Den Bosch on 19 April 2000 in the 1999-00 season. In the 2000-01 season, Ajax manager Co Adriaanse Increased Van der Vaart's playing time by moving him to the attacking midfielder position.
In 2002-03, Ajax won the Amsterdam Tournament, though Van der Vaart injury limited to 21 leagues Appearances, in the which he scored 18 goals. Back on the domestic front, meanwhile, Van der Vaart scored an impressive 18 goals in 21 league games in the Eredivisie. Van der Vaart admitted he was overweight, and the media criticized celebrity lifestyle with his then fiancee, The Music Factory VJ Sylvie Meis. He Became an Influential
figures once again as Ajax claimed another league title. Van der Vaart was named team captain by coach Ronald Koeman for the 2004-05 season. As a result, Van der Vaart took Ibrahimovic's spot as striker. In September, a league match against ADO Den Haag was temporarily Halted by the officials due to incessant Chants by Opposing fans directed at Meis.
Hamburger SV
At this point, Van der Vaart's performances were the resource persons attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs. Van der Vaart's € 5.5 million transfer to Hamburg, on 1 June 2005, raised many eyebrows. Many other top-flight clubs Had shown interest in the midfielder but he chose Hamburg. Van der Vaart finished his first season as the team's top scorer as Hamburg finished third in the league and won the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
He assumed the team captaincy for the 2006-07 season. The arrival of Van der Vaart's Countryman Huub Stevens as head coach, however, saw Hamburg march up the standings and They finished the season in a respectable seventh place, qualifying for, and also winning, the Intertoto Cup. In the 2007-08 season, Van der Vaart scored 12 league goals as Hamburg finished fourth in the league, while Reaching the round of sixteen in the UEFA Cup.
Real Madrid
Towards the end of the 2007-08 season, Van der Vaart was linked to a move to Several clubs including Atletico Madrid and Juventus. On 4 August 2008, Real Madrid and Hamburg reached a € 13 million agreement for Van der Vaart's transfer, Real Madrid's only summer signing. Van der Vaart debuted in a 2-1 preseason win four days later, against Independiente Santa Fe, where he scored the equalizing goal and provided an assist for the winner.
He changed his squad number from 19 to number 23 after his favored teammate Wesley Sneijder took number 10 following Robinho's departure to Manchester City on 31 August. Van der Vaart was handed his original jersey number 23 while Granero was given number 24. After a wait of four games, Van der Vaart was finally included in Pellegrini's squad list to face Villarreal CF on September 23. An injury to Kaká gave Van der Vaart a chance to Establish Himself as a key player for the Los Blancos again. Van der Vaart Stated his desire to stay at Real Madrid, at least until the end of his contract.
Tottenham Hotspur
2010-11 Season
It was Van der Vaart Announced That would wear the number 11 shirt for the Spurs. Van der Vaart scored his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot in a 3-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 September 2010. After starting his Spurs career by scoring three goals in four Premier League matches, and with a goal and an assist in two Champions League matches, Van der Vaart was named Goal.com World Player of the Week on 4 October 2010. On April 20, revived van der Vaart Tottenham's Champions League ambitions by scoring twice to hold North London Rivals Arsenal to a 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane. Van der Vaart scored from 25 yards out in a 2-0 win That put Tottenham in position to secure qualification for the Europa League.
It was Van der Vaart Announced That would wear the number 11 shirt for the Spurs. Van der Vaart scored his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot in a 3-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 September 2010. After starting his Spurs career by scoring three goals in four Premier League matches, and with a goal and an assist in two Champions League matches, Van der Vaart was named Goal.com World Player of the Week on 4 October 2010. On April 20, revived van der Vaart Tottenham's Champions League ambitions by scoring twice to hold North London Rivals Arsenal to a 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane. Van der Vaart scored from 25 yards out in a 2-0 win That put Tottenham in position to secure qualification for the Europa League.
2011-12 Season
Van der Vaart scored his first two Premier league goals of the season against Wigan Athletic and Arsenal. Van der Vaart scored a penalty away against Newcastle United on 16 October to keep up a good run of goal scoring form and also scored twice in the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
International Career
Rafael van der Vaart gained the notice of the youth team coaches and was Called up for the youth squads. The 18-year-old Van der Vaart then made his senior international debut against Andorra on 6 October 2001.
Euro 2004
With Advocaat's new system seemingly working, Van der Vaart would be reduced to play a bit-part role at Euro 2004, as the Oranje reached the semi-finals.
2006 World Cup
That Despite setback, Van der Vaart produced some superlative performances in the Bundesliga the following season, and it seemed That Van der Vaart's turn to shine on the big stage was to finally come - at the 2006 World Cup.
Euro 2008
Van der Vaart was Called up for Euro 2008 despite missing Several qualification matches due to an ankle injury.
2010 World Cup
Despite enduring a Torrid time at club level, Van der Vaart remained a first-choice player for van Basten's successor Bert van Marwijk in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. On 12 August 2009, Van der Vaart captained the Dutch in the absence of Giovanni van Bronckhorst in a friendly against England.
Personal Life
On 10 June 2005, Van der Vaart married Sylvie van der Vaart (née Meis) and on 28 May 2006, Their son Damian Rafael was born. In the summer of 2009, Real Madrid wanted to sell Van der Vaart, but the player decided to stay in Madrid Because his wife was undergoing cancer treatment there. A year later, upon his move to England, Van der Vaart Stated, "She had a very serious illness and it is true That She Had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron.
Honours
Club
AFC Ajax
Eredivisie (2) : 2001-02, 2003-04
KNVB Cup (1) : 2001-02
Johan Cruijff-Schaal (1) : 2002
Hamburger SV UEFA Intertoto Cup (2) : 2005, 2007
Real Madrid CF
Supercopa de España (1) : 2008
Netherlands
FIFA World Cup Runners-Up : 2010
Individual
Ajax Talent of the Year : 1999, 2000, 2001
Amsterdam Talent of the Year : 2000
Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year : 2001
Amsterdam Tournament Most Valuable Player : 2001
Johan Cruijff Award : 2001
European Talent of the Year : 2002
Golden Boy Award : 2003
Ballon d'Or: 2008 - nominated (top 30)
Premier League Player of the Month (1) : October 2010