Lieke Martens does not rule out a return to the Eredivisie in the long run. The attacker of Barcelona leaves opposite Football International know that she’s in her rightful place at the moment and doesn’t feel like returning to the Netherlands yet. In time the Orange Lioness wants to return to her homeland and Ajax seems to be a possible destination, although she doesn’t want to rule out a transfer to another club either. “The Eredivisie is definitely an option”, it sounds like.

Recently Stefani van der Gragt and Desiree van Lunteren already returned to Ajax, while Sari van Veenendaal made the switch from Atlético Madrid. Martens recently owns a house in Amsterdam, so she regularly gets the question whether a transfer to Ajax is possible. “Of course there are always lines. I understand that question too. I will honestly say that the common thread in my life is loneliness. I don’t lie about that either. I’ve been lonely a lot, for fifteen years. But on the other hand, my perseverance to reach the top”, Martens says frankly. “That doesn’t happen by itself, I’ve worked hard for that and left a lot for it. Now I am where I always wanted to be.”

Martens emphasizes that she is not ready yet at Barcelona. She recently signed a two-year extension of her contract. “After that there’s a good chance I’ll come back. Especially when I look at the developments here”, the outdoor player refers to the Eredivisie. “The level is higher, the facilities are getting better and other internationals are already returning. The Eredivisie is doing really well. But the highest level is now elsewhere, that’s how honest you have to be.”

Should Martens return to the Netherlands, Ajax seems to be the most likely candidate for her signature. “It is no secret that I have been a supporter of Ajax from an early age, so I am certainly open to it. But in time. But I really don’t exclude other clubs. They’re things I’m not doing right now. I just want to get the best out of myself every workout. That’s what I’m doing.”