5 legendary Dutch players who found success back in the Netherlands

Kurt after securing Feyenoord's famous title win in 2017
Kurt after securing Feyenoord's famous title win in 2017

#3 Roy Makaay (Feyenoord)

Bayern Munich v AFC Ajax

The Dutchman is remembered as one of Bayern's best strikers of the 21st century

A supreme and perhaps underrated goal scorer, Makaay played for 5 clubs during his professional career and his strike rate at each is highly impressive; a classic centre-forward, he used his aerial ability and quick thinking to great effect.

He started out in the Eredivisie with the relatively small Vitesse Arnhem where his talents earned him a move to La Liga at 22 with Tenerife. After 2 productive seasons here, Makaay's form got him a move to a bigger club again, this time to Deportivo La Coruna. In his first season at the club, his 22 goals in 36 appearances propelled Deportivo to their first league win in their history, surprising most neutrals.

4 further good campaigns followed for the striker, including ending his final season as the league's top marksman before he transferred to Bayern Munich in 2003 for a then club record fee. He would win the Bundesliga twice in his time at the club and scored an incredible 102 goals in 178 total appearances.

After Bayern signed forwards Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose, Makaay decided to return to Dutch football in 2007, this time with Feyenoord. He wouldn't enjoy the success Kuyt managed with them a decade later, but he was the man most responsible for Feyenoord winning the KNVB Cup in 2008, having plundered 7 goals in just 5 games.

After retiring at 35, Makaay had scored almost a goal every other game for Feyenoord, a tremendous record for a player at his age. It's unfortunate that the striker doesn't receive the acclaim that his career deserved.

He had the misfortune to play in an era when the Netherlands were awash with great strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Dennis Bergkamp, meaning Makaay only got 46 caps for his national side, scoring 6 goals, and Bayern weren't the European force they are now when Makaay was there, but based on his goals alone, Makaay was one of Europe's strongest strikers of his generation.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now