Etienne Vaessen has been in conversation with ESPN looks back on his collision with Brian Brobbey on September 30 in the home game against Ajax. The 28-year-old goalkeeper had to recuperate for six weeks after the accident and made his return last weekend in the home match against Go Ahead Eagles (0-1).
After the collision, Vaessen received a lot of support from home and abroad, he says. “The sporting rivalry gave way to human warmth,” the goalkeeper begins. “The messages, the phone calls, flowers, drawings from children… That really touched me as a person.”
Vaessen was particularly moved by the gesture made by Nick Olij from Sparta Rotterdam. “I still had something very nice. That’s about Olij. I speak to him occasionally, but it’s not like I spoke to him every day. Our contact was more about the goalkeeping profession and that he is doing well. Finally he got my address and sent one superhero on.”
It was for Vaessen’s son. “There was a card that said: ‘Here’s yours superhero-Daddy. You should always have it with you when you go to sleep.’ Well, then I really had tears in my eyes. That you think about that. Then I called him and said, ‘Boy, you really are a great guy. That you’re thinking about this.’”
The RKC goalkeeper is then surprised by ESPN. Several Eredivisie players have recorded a special video message for Vaessen. “Hey, big friend. What a pleasure it was to watch you again, that you were finally back on the field,” says Olij.
Vaessen is visibly emotional when he watches the video messages.
“The place where you belong. You have experienced something terrible. You, your family, your relatives and the people close to you. Still some strength for what you are doing. Friend, it’s all going to be okay. You’re wearing a nice helmet, nice man. Do your thing buddy, we’ll see each other soon.”
Jasper Cillessen also left a message. “Etienne, great. I’m glad you played again today. I haven’t heard the results yet, so I’ll be happy to look into that soon. I’m especially glad you’re back on the field. I hope to see you again in real life soon. Have fun again and we will see each other soon.”