The Rotterdam derby between Feyenoord and Sparta is again on the program next Sunday. It is a special poster for Jonathan de Guzmán. The Sparta midfielder will then play with his current club against the team where it all started for him. In conversation with RTV Rijnmond he looks ahead to the meeting with Feyenoord in De Kuip.

De Guzmán started his career in the shirt of Feyenoord. After arriving in the Netherlands, the born Canadian settled in Rotterdam and joined Feyenoord's youth academy. In 2005, three days after his eighteenth birthday, he made his debut against SC Heerenveen. De Guzmán would remain under contract until the summer of 2010 and he played a total of 128 games for the Stadium Club. He scored 26 goals and 23 assists.

“It remains special. Of course I know a lot of people at the club. It always feels nice to come back to De Kuip,” De Guzmán begins his story RTV Rijnmond. Despite the fact that Feyenoord experienced dark years during that period, De Guzmán managed to win the cup in 2007/08. The controller still has fond memories of his time at Feyenoord.

De Guzmán left for RCD Mallorca in the summer of 2010 and would later be under contract with Villarreal, Swansea City, Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt. However, he never lost sight of Feyenoord's achievements. “I then tried to watch matches. How they do it every week. Feyenoord has always stuck with me, I am just a fan of the club.”

Sparta has not known what winning is in South Rotterdam for 25 years. The team managed to beat Feyenoord at Het Kasteel, but Sparta can hardly gain a foothold in the south of the port city.

“It is difficult to play as an opponent in De Kuip. I think every opponent has a hard time there. It is a big stadium and they also have a very good team. There is a lot of variety in their playing. You are playing against one of the best players in the competition,” said De Guzmán, looking ahead to the match. When asked whether De Guzmán will cheer if he scores in De Kuip next Sunday, he responds: “I am not going to cheer against Feyenoord, that is too sensitive for me.”

Ending contract

Finally, De Guzmán also discusses his expiring contract. The midfielder has been under contract since his arrival from OFI Crete in 2021 the lords of the castle, but his current contract expires next summer. However, the Ontario-born midfielder is not thinking about quitting just yet. “I feel good and fitter than last season. I am certainly open to a longer year at Sparta. Week by week I see how I feel and at the moment I am definitely open to a longer stay.”

Sparta has been doing less well in recent weeks. The club only won once after the winter break, but has been on a poor run since November. As a result, Sparta has dropped some places in the rankings and now occupies ninth place. Last weekend Sparta lost 0-2 to PEC Zwolle. Earlier this season, Feyenoord took a point at Het Kasteel in injury time through talent Leo Sauer. Then it became 2-2.

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