Daley Blind seems to have a noteworthy record on Wednesday evening. When the 31-year-old defender of Ajax comes into action against Benfica, he crowns himself as the Ajax player with the most (43) duels in the Champions League. With that, Blind would break the current record of 42 games, a record he still shares with Jari Litmanen.
Like current teammate Davy Klaassen, Blind made his debut in the Champions League in 2011, against Olympique Lyon (0-0). Until his departure to Manchester United in the summer of 2014, the central defender-cum-left back made 14 matches in the billion-dollar ball; he played the other 28 matches since his return in 2018. The 88-time international of the Dutch national team says in conversation with Ajax TV doubted whether he would break through in Amsterdam at all.
“In the beginning there were phases in which I certainly did not expect this,” acknowledges Blind, who made his debut in the main force in 2008. “I just wanted to play as much as possible. I am very proud that I have reached this milestone at the club where I was a ball boy myself at the Champions League games. something special.”
Blind sees that the club has undergone strong development since its debut. “The expectations from the fans and the player group itself are higher. In the first years it was different. If you lost to Real Madrid then, that could happen. Ajax has changed in that respect in such a way that we always feel that we have to to win.”
In that regard, Blind dares to dream of a final victory with Ajax in the Champions League – something that father Danny already succeeded in 1995. “As my career progressed, I was able to take some records from him”, Blind junior speaks of the competition with are older. “He always falls back on winning the Champions League. Unfortunately, we have not been able to take it yet, but we are still in the race. It would be fantastic. Then my dad can also pack his things. Then he has nothing more to counter”, the upcoming jubilee concludes with a laugh.