Ajax goalkeeper Stekelenburg, 2010 World Cup finalist, puts end to career
NOS Football–
Maarten Stekelenburg is putting a stop to his soccer career after this season. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will already say goodbye to the supporters of Ajax, the club where he was under contract for the past few seasons, next Sunday during the home game against FC Utrecht.
Stekelenburg returned to Amsterdam in the summer of 2020, having already completed the youth academy at Ajax and spent nine years under the crossbar at the first team (2002-2011). He kept a total of 311 games for Ajax, including 29 after his return.
After André Onana’s doping suspension, Stekelenburg briefly became first goalkeeper again at Ajax in the spring of 2021. A strong run, crowned by his third of a total of four national titles with Ajax, earned him an invitation to the European Championship, where he was also first choice.
Stekelenburg has been plagued by injury in recent seasons, dating his last game to May 2022.
Highlight at 2010 World Cup
Besides Ajax, the 63-time Dutch international played for AS Roma, Fulham, AS Monaco, Southampton and Everton.
In his first Ajax period, Stekelenburg was also a regular in the Dutch national team. He made it to the World Cup final with the Oranje in 2010, thanks in part to a great save on a shot by Kaká in the quarterfinals against Brazil.
Watch Stekelenburg’s stunning save in the match against Brazil at the 2010 World Cup below:
THE save from Stekelenburg at 2010 World Cup: ‘All say thank you’
