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Two of the most historic European clubs, Ajax and Real Madrid are all set to take on each other in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Real Madrid will go in as the hot favorites to win the tie despite their inconsistent form this season. The Spanish giants sacked manager Julen Lopetegui midway through the season and called in Santiago Solari to steady the sinking ship. Ajax, on the other hand, came through a tough UCL group and are currently placed second in the Dutch League.
The two European clubs have 17 Champions League titles between them. Arguably the biggest club in Spain and the biggest club in the Netherlands have a lot of things in common throughout their rich history. The two giants have shared some exceptional players over the years.
Here is a look at 4 major players who have represented both Real Madrid and Ajax at the highest level possible.
#4 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Ajax ( 2006-2008)
Real Madrid (2009)
Once a PSV youth product, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar joined Ajax in January 2006 for a fee of around 9 million Euros. Huntelaar started his Ajax career in the best possible way scoring 9 goals in 7 matches including a goal on his Champions League debut. He ended his first season as the club's highest goal scorer. In his second season, Huntelaar again finished as the club highest goal scorer. In his fourth and last season for Ajax, the Dutch striker played up front with Luis Suarez. He went on to captain Ajax in the 2008-09 season under new manager Marco Van Basten. In January 2009, Huntelaar decided to leave Ajax as he received an offer from Spanish giants Real Madrid. He made 92 appearances for Ajax in which he scored more than 75 goals.
Real Madrid signed Huntelaar in 2009 from Ajax for a fee of around 20 million Euros. However, his time at the Bernabeu did not go according to plan as the Dutch striker failed to have any significant impact at the club. Huntelaar found it difficult to break into the first team on a regular basis. He spent just the one season at Real Madrid in which he made 20 appearances, scoring 8 goals. Huntelaar moved on to Milan in August 2009.
#3 Clarence Seedorf
AFC Ajax (1992-1995)
Real Madrid (1996-2000)
One of the most highly rated products of the Ajax youth academy, Clarence Seedorf made his professional debut for Ajax at just the age of 16. He quickly went on to become the club's first choice right midfielder under manager Louis Van Gaal. He played a very important role in Ajax, winning the historical treble in only his second season at the club. Seedorf spent more than four seasons at the club in which he made 65 appearances, scoring 11 goals for the Dutch side.
In August 1996, Seedorf moved to Real Madrid from Sampdoria for a fee of around 10 million Euros. He had an immediate impact at the club in his first two seasons as he helped the Spanish side win the league in 1996 and then the Champions League in 1997. Gradually, Seedorf's role at the club became less prominent as he found it difficult to get many first-team opportunities under Dutch Manager Guus Hiddink. Clarence moved to Italian side Inter Milan for a fee or around 23 million Euros. He made 121 appearances for the Madrid based team, scoring 15 goals.
#2 Wesley Sneijder
AFC Ajax (2002-2007)
Real Madrid (2007-2009)
Sneijder started his career at the Ajax youth academy and made his first senior appearance for the club in 2002 under manager Ronald Koeman. He quickly established himself as one of the first names on the Ajax team sheet. In his best season at the club, Sneijder scored 18 goals in the Dutch League and 20 goals in all competitions. The Dutch midfielder went on to make 126 appearances for Ajax in which he netted 43 goals.
In 2007, Sneijder agreed to move to Spain and joined Real Madrid for a record fee, making him the second most expensive Dutch footballer.
In the summer transfer window of 2007, Sneijder joined his Dutch teammate Arjen Robben at Real Madrid. He had a very impressive run for the Spanish side, scoring some crucial goals for the club. Sneijder suffered some long term injuries during his time at Madrid, but he was still able to make a significant impact at the club. Sneijder made 52 appearances for Real Madrid in his two seasons at the club, scoring 11 goals. He moved on to Italian club Inter Milan in 2009 for a fee of 15 million Euros.
#1 Rafael van der Vaart
AFC Ajax (2000-2005)
Real Madrid (2008-2010)
Rafael van der Vaart made his Ajax debut aged just 17 in the year 2000. Coming in through the ranks, Van der Vaart was hailed as the next 'Johan Cruyff'. In the 2001-02 season, he suffered a major knee injury which ruled him out for most of the season, but that did not stop him from being named the Netherlands' talent of the year. Despite several injuries, Van der Vaart made a serious impact at the club. In five seasons at Ajax, he made 117 appearances and scored 52 goals as an attacking midfielder. The Dutch midfielder left the club in 2005 to join German side Hamburg.
In August 2008, despite major interests from various European clubs, Van der Vaart decided to join Real Madrid for a fee of about 13 million Euros. He joined his Dutch teammate Wesley Sneijder at the club having signed a 5-year deal. Van der Vaart stayed at Real Madrid for two seasons before he was told by coach Manuel Pellegrini that he was surplus to requirements and should find a new club for himself. He made 58 appearances for the club scoring 11 goals before he left the Spanish capital to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2010.
