When Tottenham Hotspur signed, Rafael van der Vaart, to accompany Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in, probably, their best ever Premier League squad, it gave all us Football Manager addicts a smile.
RvD was a must have purchase on any game during his younger years, and that of course transitioned to forming an opinion of him in real life.
Played a whole game of Football Manager with Van Der Vaart in goal by accident :@
The players with over 100 international caps will shock you
Alexis Sanchez, 106
Just 28, and in the century club. Hugely impressive. Image Source: Twitter
Cesc Fabregas, 105
The Chelsea man has his critics but 105 caps for Espana, though? Wow. Image Source: Twitter
Diego Forlan, 112
Had an up and down career
more than a bride's nightie. But never in doubt for his nation. Image Source: Twitter
Kevin Kilbane, 110
Kevin who?! Oh yeah, that bloke who spouts a load of nonsense on the BBC. Perhaps his international caps is what got him the punditry role. Image Source: Press Association
Fernando Torres, 110
El Nino, fair from the boy. Image Source: Twitter
John Arne Riise, 110
Didn't even know Norway had played that many games. Image Source: Twitter
Nani, 105
Don't care what you say about the lad, at just 30, and with a Euro under your belt in a side which contains just one - two at a push - good players, is some achievement. Image Source: Twitter
Didier Zokora, 123
Enough caps to make you think about applying for Ivorian citizenship, and playing yourself. Image Source: Twitter
Javier Mascherano, 135
What a CV this man has. Image Source: Twitter
Kolo Toure, 120
Not that suprised with the amount of time the Celtic man has been around, but, Ivory Coast, 120 caps for Kolo?! Really?! Image Source: Twitter
The Dutchman became something of a fan favourite during his time at White Hart Lane, but like all of the top level Netherlands players, RvD is stupid when it comes to making sensible career moves.
Honestly, what is wrong with the boys in orange? Yeah, Wesley Sneijder, we are looking at you; top of your game at Inter Milan, so what’s the next logical move? Galatasaray, of course.
Random moves are a speciality for van der Vaart, with the journeyman currently residing in Denmark, playing for FC Midtjylland. However, prior to joining the team with the hardest name to spell in football, the former Real Madrid man popped up back in La Liga with Real Betis – odd, right?!
In order to get his ‘dream’ move back to Spain and to Betis, van der Vaart had to agree to one slightly odd contract clause request from the club; he couldn’t wear red boots.
And it’s a bit small-minded from the La Liga outfit as to why, it’s because bitter rivals Sevilla are associated with the colour rouge.
Who knew the former Spurs man had a penchant for red boots? But it clearly hindered his time at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, making just seven appearances for the green and white stripes before taking his €1.6million earned from not wearing red boots to Denmark.
8 players you had no idea have a World Cup winners’ medal
Mattihas Ginter – Germany 2014
The defender, who has the face of a serial killer, was awarded a winners' medal despite not playing a single minute in Brazil. Image Source: Twitter
Joan Capdevila – Spain 2010
Whilst Joan was no mug on the pitch, it's fair to say that in comparison to the rest of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, he didn't really possess the same level of talent. Nonetheless, the defender's name will forever be linked back to that historic team. Image Source: Twitter
Marco Amelia – Italy 2006
Apparently this fella played for Chelsea. Can only imagine his contributions to the Italian winners was along the lines of making sandwiches, cleaning boots and carrying the ball bags. Image Source: Twitter
Simone Barone – Italy 2006
Simone Barone somehow, some way snuck himself into the Italy team at the World Cup despite being an utterly average for his whole career. Image Source: Twitter
Rogerio Ceni – Brazil 2002
Yup, the keeper who scores all the free kicks and penalties. Quality. Image Source: Twitter
Luizao – Brazil 2002
Played for about 600 clubs; terrible for them all. Image Source: Twitter
Roque Junior – Brazil 2002
A black David Luiz. Image Source: Twitter
Stephane Guivarc’h – France 1998
It's almost hard not to be impressed by Guivarc'h's journey from the World Cup Final all the way to being named the worst striker in Premier League history. Future stars such as Thierry Henry were on the bench for the game in Paris, and some how this fella led the way for well over an hour. Funny old game, football. Image Source: Twitter
Start the discussion
Login to comment