Georginio Wijnaldum does not think he took an exam with the Dutch national team on Friday evening against Scotland (4-0 win). Pierre van Hooijdonk believes that the midfielder has to prove himself again at the Dutch team, especially because Wijnaldum currently plays for Al-Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia.

“The smile is back,” Wijnaldum is told afterwards by reporter Thierry Boon of the NOS. “That smile was already there,” the accurate midfielder immediately counters. “I obviously had two difficult years after Liverpool (where he left in 2021, ed.). At PSG the first year was difficult and the second year I went to AS Roma and got injured. I only came back later in the season .”

Wijnaldum is then asked whether he could make good use of his goal against Scotland. “Yes, I think it's good,” the midfielder answers with a smile. “Not just for me, but for the team.” The maker of the 2-0 for the Dutch team is told that he was 'a bit invisible' until his goal. “I wasn't involved in the game much, that's right.”

The experienced international does not agree with the statement that he had to take an exam from Ronald Koeman after an absence of nine months. “That is what the media make of it, that it is my exam,” emphasizes the veteran of the Dutch team. “I don't see it that way. I just come here and try to do my best.”

“It can always be better. As I said: in phases I was not involved in the game. So that has to be better. In addition, it is nice that I scored and got on the scoreboard. But of course it can always be better,” said the self-critical Wijnaldum.

Van Hooijdonk

Pierre van Hooijdonk believes that Wijnaldum should definitely take the exam for the Dutch national team again. “He says it is not an exam and Memphis Depay heard you say the same words. But if you play football in Saudi Arabia… That is something different from England, Spain, Italy or France.”

“Then it is not an exam with your record. But if you go to Saudi Arabia and play football at a completely different level… disappears from view and no one sees anything, then we all, including the national coach, very curious about what you show. Then you don't get five chances,” says the former Dutch striker.

Van der Vaart

Rafael van der Vaart is slightly milder for Wijnaldum. “He is a great player. He has been called up and then you come. He now has to answer a lot of questions and is invisible. But he does score and then he can be somewhat happy. Well, those questions… At some point It's over for a moment, he can't do anything about it.”

“Pierre is absolutely right, of course it is an exam. But I understand that he reacts that way. And I thought this was a good interview from him, he remained calm. I think Koeman has the feeling of: 'I am calling him up and hope he does well'. But I do agree with Pierre that he was not at his best today,” said Van der Vaart.

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