The Amazing Youthful Talents of The Oranje

By Peter C

Over the years, the Dutch national team has produced great players who represent the country at major tournaments and shine like a million stars. With some of the current squad members close to retirement age, the national team’s youth setup is stepping up. Here are some of the budding talents.

1. Matthijs de Ligt

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Number one on our list. De Ligt has proven himself playing alongside legends of the game at both Netherlands and Juventus. At 17, he emerged as the youngest soccer player to start for the Dutch national team since 1931.

2. Donyell Malen

Malen was once with the Arsenal academy, and his rise is absolutely phenomenal. He scored 19 goals in the 2020/21 league campaign, majorly featuring as a center-forward. Malen has a technical ability that could be said to be above his age. Malen’s off-the-ball and on-the-ball movements showcase just how brilliant he is.

3. Guus Til

Guys Til is regarded as a member of the new set of amazingly talented youngsters that will make up the core of the Dutch soccer team in the nearest future. This was evident in his maiden two Eredivisie matches, where he scored goals and continued producing A-class performances.

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4. Owen Wijndal

Born in 1999, Wijndal played for ZVV Zaandijk, HFC Haarlem and the AZ Alkmaar’s junior academy. When he clocked 17, he made his professional bow in Eredivisie for AZ. Wijndal played 16 times for Jong AZ and appeared in seven matches for AZ’s first team in the Eredivisie in the 2017/18 season.