Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:45 AM• Rian Rosendaal

Maarten Stekelenburg has had a number of special weeks. The now 38-year-old goalkeeper suddenly got a basic place at Ajax, because André Onana cannot play for a year due to a suspension. In addition, his good performances with the leader in the Eredivisie were rewarded by national coach Frank de Boer, who included him in the pre-selection of the Dutch for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.

“I remember that I got a question about the the Dutch at the beginning of February, when I had just played two games”, Stekelenburg explains in a retrospective at the request of Football International. “That is the opportunism of football. We have now been working a little longer and because of the pre-selection it is current. It is very nice that I am in the pre-selection. I never thanked the the Dutch, but until recently of course I didn’t keep one take more into account “, the Ajax goalkeeper, who last played for the Dutch national team in November 2016, frankly admits. On March 19, Stekelenburg will hear from De Boer whether he is in the final the Dutch selection.

Stekelenburg thinks he knows why De Boer has included him in the preliminary selection of the Dutch. “It depends on playing minutes. My focus was of course fully on Ajax. Back at my club, supporting André Onana, being ready if something should happen. Then the Dutch is not something you think about. But that situation has changed. . ” In the fall of his career, Stekelenburg takes full advantage of the opportunities that are offered to him. “I hoped that I could end my career at Ajax. It feels good that this is now possible. And for me playing for the prizes is wonderful again.”

However, the experienced goalkeeper also cracks some critical notes. The level of the keepers in the Netherlands does not make him very enthusiastic. “We are not as well in the top keepers as in the past, or as other countries. In Spain and Germany you have a whole series of keepers who are eligible for the national team. talents that can hopefully continue to grow. ” Stekelenburg takes the situation at Ajax as an example. “At Ajax I see two talents around me with Kjell Scherpen and Dominik Kotarski every day, although the latter is of course not eligible for the Dutch national team. And at other clubs I am talking about guys like Joël Drommel and Justin Bijlow, for example, but talent alone is not enough. You have to put down a series of matches at a high level to really make the step “, said the Ajax keeper.