The 33-year-old Klaas Jan Huntelaar will return to Amsterdam Arena on April 13, when he will wear the royal blue shirt of Schalke 04. But Huntelaar still loved red and white, and Ajax was always in his heart. The official website of Ajax went to Gelsenkirchen to ask Huntelaer to talk about his love for Ajax, his football idol as a teenager and his future.
Klaas Young, how could a boy from the East have an Ajax heart?
"Ajax was my first love of football and I've always been an avid Ajax fan. It's not surprising, my whole family is an Ajax fan. Besides, kids will love a team that always wins and has the best players. ”
I seemed to see this scene: a children's room full of Ajax's surroundings. Is this picture correct?
"That's right. When I was a kid, there was no shortage of Ajax player posters and various related decorations in my room. A poster for Bergkamp must be there. The mid-nineties were so beautiful. I'm also a fan of Kluivert and Litmanin. ”
So you've been keeping a close eye on Ajax?
"Of course! I live in Humero, so I can't go to the stadium very often. But I'll make sure I never miss a game at Ajax. Usually we all watch in a football club. After I finished practicing, I would eat fries and watch the game. ”
The first time you went live to see Ajax play?
"Probably when I was ten years old, Ajax played away to Vitesse, who was still home at Nieuw-Monnikenhuize. I can't remember the final score. One of the early games I remember most vividly was Graf Sharp's home game against Ajax on 3 May 1998, when I witnessed Van der Sar score a penalty and the score was 1-8. ”
Did you think you would one day play in Amsterdam?
"I did think about it. But even though I'm a big Ajax fan and I love to play football, I never went to Amsterdam for The Talent Day. I do the same with my own children, and if they are favored by Ajax, they can go. But I won't ask my child to join Ajax, it's better to go with the flow. ”
But you joined the PSV Eindhoven Academy at the age of sixteen.
"I played a game in total in the PSV Eindhoven shirt! I either couldn't play or was loaned to Graf Sharp and AGOVV. Joining PSV Eindhoven was a great opportunity for me. Have you ever been conflicted? No, after all, this is an opportunity. ”
In the winter of 2006, you moved from Heerenveen to Ajax. Remember that?
"I had a great time at Heerenveen, everything went well on and off the pitch, so a lot of clubs started to show interest, like AZ Alkmaar, Ajax and Feyenoord. I've been in talks with a number of clubs, but I've made a choice in my mind: I'm going to Ajax! ”
Then you're on the training ground at Ajax. How was it felt at the time?
"The first time I trained at Ajax, it was so special. I was nervous. Many people were waiting on the sidelines to see me, and the experience was new to me. Fortunately, I met some Ajax players when I was in the Dutch youth team at all levels, such as Heitinga and Strockenborg. Everyone is about the same age, so the atmosphere in the team is very good. However, there are also some older players in the team, such as Galasek and Vonk. ”
How was your Ajax debut?
"It was at home against NEC Nijmegen and the score was 0-0. Honestly we didn't play well in that game, we just couldn't score. The team was in a tough situation during that period. Of course, looking back at that season now is actually quite good. ”
On April 13 you will return to arena Arena as a Schalke 04 player, how will it feel against his old club?
"On the one hand, I think it's interesting, on the other hand, I think it's awkward. As a player, you stand on the pitch to score goals and help the team win. But honestly, it's weird to ask me to do something like this with Ajax. ”
Will we soon see you in the red and white jersey again?
"Anything is possible. But it's inappropriate to talk about these things now. Let's wait and see. ”
(Editor: Yao Fan)