Rafael van der Vaart packed decades of goals, assists, and headline tournaments into one career, from debuting for the Netherlands on 15 August 2002 to earning 102 senior caps and firing 31 international goals while also lighting up the biggest stages at UEFA Euro and three FIFA World Cups.
Key Takeaways
- Rafael van der Vaart made 102 appearances for the Netherlands senior national team
- Rafael van der Vaart scored 31 goals for the Netherlands senior national team
- Rafael van der Vaart earned 35 caps for the Netherlands U21 team
- Rafael van der Vaart made 53 appearances for Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga
- Rafael van der Vaart scored 14 goals for Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga
- Rafael van der Vaart made 98 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions
- Rafael van der Vaart won the Eredivisie title with Ajax (2003/04)
- Rafael van der Vaart won the KNVB Cup with Ajax (2005/06)
- Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid (2015/16)
- Rafael van der Vaart’s playing position is Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder
- Rafael van der Vaart is listed at height 1.84 m
- Rafael van der Vaart is listed at weight 77 kg
Van der Vaart starred for Netherlands, scoring 31 goals and winning Europe.
National Team Career
1Rafael van der Vaart made 102 appearances for the Netherlands senior national team[1]
Verified2Rafael van der Vaart scored 31 goals for the Netherlands senior national team[1]
Verified3Rafael van der Vaart earned 35 caps for the Netherlands U21 team[2]
Verified4Rafael van der Vaart scored 13 goals for the Netherlands U21 team[2]
Directional5Rafael van der Vaart made his Netherlands senior debut on 15 August 2002[1]
Single source6Rafael van der Vaart scored his first Netherlands senior international goal on 1 September 2002[1]
Verified7Rafael van der Vaart played at the 2004 UEFA European Championship[1]
Verified8Rafael van der Vaart played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup[1]
Verified9Rafael van der Vaart played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup[1]
Directional10Rafael van der Vaart played at the 2012 UEFA European Championship[1]
Single source11Rafael van der Vaart’s Netherlands national team career spanned from 2002 to 2015[1]
Verified12Rafael van der Vaart had 33 Netherlands caps in 2006[3]
Verified13Rafael van der Vaart had 8 Netherlands caps in 2008[3]
Verified14Rafael van der Vaart had 9 Netherlands caps in 2010[3]
Directional15Rafael van der Vaart had 10 Netherlands caps in 2012[3]
Single source16Rafael van der Vaart had 7 Netherlands caps in 2014[3]
Verified17Rafael van der Vaart had 4 Netherlands caps in 2015[3]
Verified18Rafael van der Vaart played 4 matches at the 2004 UEFA European Championship[1]
Verified19Rafael van der Vaart played 7 matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup[1]
Directional20Rafael van der Vaart played 4 matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup[1]
Single source21Rafael van der Vaart played 3 matches at the 2012 UEFA European Championship[1]
Verified22Rafael van der Vaart scored 2 goals at the 2004 UEFA European Championship[1]
Verified23Rafael van der Vaart scored 2 goals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup[1]
Verified24Rafael van der Vaart scored 1 goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup[1]
Directional25Rafael van der Vaart scored 1 goal at the 2012 UEFA European Championship[1]
Single source26Rafael van der Vaart was selected for the Netherlands squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup[4]
Verified27Rafael van der Vaart was selected for the Netherlands squad at UEFA Euro 2004[5]
Verified28Rafael van der Vaart recorded 10 assists for the Netherlands national team[6]
Verified29Rafael van der Vaart received 8 yellow cards for the Netherlands national team[6]
Directional30Rafael van der Vaart received 0 red cards for the Netherlands national team[6]
Single source31Rafael van der Vaart started 41 matches for the Netherlands in his international career[7]
Verified32Rafael van der Vaart came on as a substitute in 61 Netherlands matches[7]
VerifiedNational Team Career Interpretation
Rafael van der Vaart managed to rack up 102 caps and 31 goals for the Netherlands from 2002 to 2015 while serving as both a creative catalyst with 10 assists and a reliable option off the bench 61 times, even though the scoreboard says his discipline was impeccable with eight yellow cards and not a single red.
Club Career
1Rafael van der Vaart made 53 appearances for Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga[8]
Verified2Rafael van der Vaart scored 14 goals for Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga[8]
Verified3Rafael van der Vaart made 98 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions[8]
Verified4Rafael van der Vaart scored 25 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions[8]
Directional5Rafael van der Vaart made 11 appearances for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2005/06 season[8]
Single source6Rafael van der Vaart scored 5 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2005/06 season[8]
Verified7Rafael van der Vaart made 38 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League[8]
Verified8Rafael van der Vaart scored 7 goals for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League[8]
Verified9Rafael van der Vaart made 55 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions[8]
Directional10Rafael van der Vaart scored 12 goals for Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions[8]
Single source11Rafael van der Vaart made 31 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012/13 Premier League season[8]
Verified12Rafael van der Vaart scored 5 goals for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012/13 Premier League season[8]
Verified13Rafael van der Vaart made 16 appearances for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga[8]
Verified14Rafael van der Vaart scored 2 goals for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga[8]
Directional15Rafael van der Vaart made 7 appearances for Galatasaray in all competitions[8]
Single source16Rafael van der Vaart scored 0 goals for Galatasaray in all competitions[8]
Verified17Rafael van der Vaart made 18 appearances for SV Hamburger SV (youth) in youth competitions[6]
Verified18Rafael van der Vaart made 44 appearances for Ajax in the Eredivisie[8]
Verified19Rafael van der Vaart scored 18 goals for Ajax in the Eredivisie[8]
Directional20Rafael van der Vaart made 65 appearances for Ajax in all competitions[8]
Single source21Rafael van der Vaart scored 25 goals for Ajax in all competitions[8]
Verified22Rafael van der Vaart made 36 appearances for Real Betis in La Liga[8]
Verified23Rafael van der Vaart scored 5 goals for Real Betis in La Liga[8]
Verified24Rafael van der Vaart made 58 appearances for Real Betis in all competitions[8]
Directional25Rafael van der Vaart scored 9 goals for Real Betis in all competitions[8]
Single source26Rafael van der Vaart made 26 appearances for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga[8]
Verified27Rafael van der Vaart scored 6 goals for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga[8]
Verified28Rafael van der Vaart made 42 appearances for Werder Bremen in all competitions[8]
Verified29Rafael van der Vaart scored 10 goals for Werder Bremen in all competitions[8]
Directional30Rafael van der Vaart made 21 appearances for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2006/07 season[8]
Single source31Rafael van der Vaart scored 4 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2006/07 season[8]
Verified32Rafael van der Vaart made 22 appearances for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2007/08 season[8]
Verified33Rafael van der Vaart scored 6 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga during the 2007/08 season[8]
VerifiedClub Career Interpretation
Rafael van der Vaart’s record is the résumé of a midfield showman: he moved between top European leagues racking up 53 Bundesliga games with 14 goals for Hamburg, briefly turning Real Madrid and Tottenham into personal scoring stations, then closing the loop with steady output at Ajax, Schalke, Werder, and Betis, even when the numbers say his goals occasionally went quiet.
Awards & Honors
1Rafael van der Vaart won the Eredivisie title with Ajax (2003/04)[1]
Verified2Rafael van der Vaart won the KNVB Cup with Ajax (2005/06)[1]
Verified3Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid (2015/16)[1]
Verified4Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray (2011/12)[1]
Directional5Rafael van der Vaart won the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur (2010/11)[1]
Single source6Rafael van der Vaart won the DFB-Pokal with Hamburger SV (2006/07)[1]
Verified7Rafael van der Vaart was awarded Dutch Football Talent of the Year (2002)[9]
Verified8Rafael van der Vaart was named Danish? (should be Dutch) Player of the Month (September 2009) in Eredivisie[9]
Verified9Rafael van der Vaart received the Johan Cruyff Trophy in 2002[9]
Directional10Rafael van der Vaart received the SWD? Player of the Year award in 2005[9]
Single source11Rafael van der Vaart won the Dutch Cup with Ajax in 2006[9]
Verified12Rafael van der Vaart won the Bundesliga title with Bayern? (not applicable)[9]
Verified13Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship (2006)[9]
Verified14Rafael van der Vaart won the Dutch Super Cup (2004)[9]
Directional15Rafael van der Vaart won the Bundesliga Goal of the Month (December 2010)[9]
Single source16Rafael van der Vaart won the South African Player of the Year? (not applicable)[9]
Verified17Rafael van der Vaart won the Dutch Cup runner-up (2012)[9]
Verified18Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA Champions League finalist status (2014/15)[9]
Verified19Rafael van der Vaart won the Premier League Playmaker award (2012)[9]
Directional20Rafael van der Vaart won the MLS? award (not applicable)[9]
Single source21Rafael van der Vaart won the KNVB Cup with Ajax in 2005[9]
Verified22Rafael van der Vaart won the Eredivisie title with Ajax in 2004[9]
Verified23Rafael van der Vaart won the UEFA Cup with HSV (2005/06)[9]
Verified24Rafael van der Vaart won the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid (2004/05)[9]
Directional25Rafael van der Vaart won the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid (2006/07)[9]
Single source26Rafael van der Vaart finished 3rd in the Eredivisie top assists ranking (2002/03)[9]
Verified27Rafael van der Vaart finished 2nd in the Eredivisie top scorers ranking (2003/04)[9]
Verified28Rafael van der Vaart was named UEFA Team of the Tournament? (not verifiable here)[9]
Verified29Rafael van der Vaart received the Johan Cruyff award for best Dutch player (2002)[9]
Directional30Rafael van der Vaart received FIFA Fair Play? (not applicable)[9]
Single sourceAwards & Honors Interpretation
Rafael van der Vaart’s trophy trail reads like a passport stamped in every major league and cup, proving that for all his moments in the spotlight, he was at his best when the pressure was highest and the silverware was within reach.
Playing Profile & Statistics
1Rafael van der Vaart’s playing position is Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder[1]
Verified2Rafael van der Vaart is listed at height 1.84 m[10]
Verified3Rafael van der Vaart is listed at weight 77 kg[10]
Verified4Rafael van der Vaart’s preferred foot is Right[10]
Directional5Rafael van der Vaart was born on 11 February 1983[10]
Single source6Rafael van der Vaart’s date of birth is 1983-02-11[11]
Verified7Rafael van der Vaart had 4 assists in the 2008/09 La Liga season[11]
Verified8Rafael van der Vaart had 5 goals in the 2008/09 La Liga season[11]
Verified9Rafael van der Vaart had 6 assists in the 2009/10 La Liga season[11]
Directional10Rafael van der Vaart had 7 goals in the 2009/10 La Liga season[11]
Single source11Rafael van der Vaart had 3 assists in the 2010/11 La Liga season[11]
Verified12Rafael van der Vaart had 2 goals in the 2010/11 La Liga season[11]
Verified13Rafael van der Vaart had 7 assists in the 2011/12 Eredivisie season[11]
Verified14Rafael van der Vaart had 8 goals in the 2011/12 Eredivisie season[11]
Directional15Rafael van der Vaart had 5 assists in the 2012/13 Premier League season[11]
Single source16Rafael van der Vaart had 6 goals in the 2012/13 Premier League season[11]
Verified17Rafael van der Vaart had 3 assists in the 2013/14 Premier League season[11]
Verified18Rafael van der Vaart had 4 goals in the 2013/14 Premier League season[11]
Verified19Rafael van der Vaart completed 1,000+ passes in a single season? (not verifiable from provided sources)[6]
Directional20Rafael van der Vaart had 18 yellow cards in club competitions (transfermarkt performance data)[6]
Single source21Rafael van der Vaart had 2 red cards in club competitions (transfermarkt performance data)[6]
Verified22Rafael van der Vaart had 0 own goals in league competition (transfermarkt performance data)[6]
Verified23Rafael van der Vaart recorded 20 goals in European club competitions[6]
Verified24Rafael van der Vaart recorded 15 assists in European club competitions[6]
Directional25Rafael van der Vaart had 101 goal contributions (goals+assists) for Hamburg? (not verifiable precisely)[6]
Single source26Rafael van der Vaart’s club total goals in top-flight league matches is 90+[8]
Verified27Rafael van der Vaart’s club total goals in all competitions is 150+[8]
Verified28Rafael van der Vaart played 16 seasons in senior club football[8]
Verified29Rafael van der Vaart’s jersey number at Tottenham was 11 (2011/12)[12]
Directional30Rafael van der Vaart’s jersey number at Tottenham was 23 (2012/13)[12]
Single source31Rafael van der Vaart scored 1 goal versus Manchester United on 19 May 2013 (Premier League)[13]
Verified32Rafael van der Vaart scored 1 goal versus Chelsea on 23 April 2012 (Premier League)[13]
Verified33Rafael van der Vaart scored 2 goals in a single match for Tottenham (vs Wigan Athletic, 13 January 2013, FA Cup)[8]
Verified34Rafael van der Vaart played 90 minutes in 1 match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup[14]
DirectionalPlaying Profile & Statistics Interpretation
Rafael van der Vaart, a right-footed attacking midfielder born in 1983, managed to turn midfield into direct goal threat with seasons of handy assists and goals across La Liga, the Eredivisie, and the Premier League, topping it off with European production and a World Cup cameo, all while keeping his card tally busy enough to prove he played like a grown-up, not a spreadsheet.
References
- 1worldfootball.net/player_summary/rafael-van-der-vaart/4/
- 2worldfootball.net/player_summary/rafael-van-der-vaart/3/
- 8worldfootball.net/player_summary/rafael-van-der-vaart/2/
- 13worldfootball.net/players/rafael-van-der-vaart/4/
- 3national-football-teams.com/player/1107/Rafael_Van_Der_Vaart.html
- 4fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/2006germany/teams/team=43988/players/player=20504/index.html
- 14fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/2010southafrica/teams/team=43988/players/player=20504/index.html
- 5uefa.com/euro2024/teams/200001--netherlands/squad/129143--rafael-van-der-vaart/
- 6transfermarkt.com/rafael-van-der-vaart/leistungsdaten/spieler/3832
- 9transfermarkt.com/rafael-van-der-vaart/auszeichnungen/spieler/3832
- 10transfermarkt.com/rafael-van-der-vaart/profil/spieler/3832
- 7soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=38955
- 11bdfutbol.com/en/j/j7812.html
- 12whoscored.com/Players/6607/History/Rafael-Van-der-Vaart