The best Dutch players in Champions League history
This season is special because it is the first season with the league's new format, which promises to bring even more excitement and unpredictability to football betting during the tournament.
In the new format, each team plays against eight different opponents, expanding the group stage and adding a new layer of unpredictability to the league. This dynamic approach creates a more varied and challenging series of matches for Europe's best clubs.
Over the years, Dutch players have left an indelible mark on the Champions League. The famous 1995 Ajax team was studded with stars when they beat Milan in Vienna, a testament to Holland's rich soccer heritage. Now let's look back at some of the best Dutch players who have shone in this prestigious tournament.
Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf is the European record holder and the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs.
His journey began at Ajax in 1995, followed by triumphs at Real Madrid in 1998 and AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, where he really developed under Carlo Ancelotti.
He developed a career that took him from a false striker to a box-to-box midfielder. His technical ability and leadership in midfield were crucial. Seedorf's influence on the pitch was immense, making him one of the league's true legends.
Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard was a crucial figure in the success of both Ajax and AC Milan, and his versatility was key to his impact. He was equally versatile as a defender or midfielder and was known for his tough approach and ability to read the game.
After an illustrious playing career, he led Barcelona to the Champions League as manager in 2006 and was considered the first manager to give Lionel Messi his breakthrough for the Blaugrana.
Virgil van Dijk
A modern-era player, Virgil van Dijk is a towering presence in Liverpool's defence. Between 2018 and 2022, he reached three Champions League finals, one of which he won in 2019, when Liverpool beat Spurs 1-0 in Madrid.
His man-of-the-match performance in the final showed his defensive brilliance, turning Liverpool into the best team in the world for a brief period under Jurgen Klopp.
Marco van Basten
Although injuries forced him to retire at the age of 28, Marco van Basten's legacy has been secured. Van Basten, a two-time Champions League winner with AC Milan, was a striker of generational stature, and his three Ballon d'Or trophies reflect his incredible skill.
The Dutchman, known for his stunning volley in the 1988 European Championship final, also provided many incredible moments on the continental stage at club level. His career may have been short, but his influence on the game remains undeniable.
Current Oranje manager Ronaldo Koeman's powerful free kick in extra time gave Barcelona their first Champions League trophy in 1992.
Known for his ability to score from set pieces, Koeman was a rock in defence and a key figure for Barcelona. His unforgettable winning goal at Wembley cemented his place in league history. Before his time with Barcelona, Koeman played for Ajax and PSV, and in 1995 he returned to Holland to finish his career with Feyenoord.
Wesley Sneijder
Written off by many after his departure from Real Madrid, Wesley Sneijder responded emphatically the following summer. In 2010, he led Inter Milan to Champions League glory at the Santiago Bernabéu, where he had been sent off a year earlier to make room for an expensive summer in the Spanish capital in which Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo arrived.
Sneijder won three times that season and also guided the Netherlands to the World Cup finals, leading many to wonder how it was that he missed out on the Ballon d'Or.