Article by Alexandru Stanciu – published Monday, October 13, 2025, 23:41 / Updated Monday, October 13, 2025 23:41
The Netherlands defeated Finland with a convincing score on Sunday, 4-0, in the qualifications for the 2026 World Championship, but the legendary Marco Van Basten (60 years old) did not have words for one of the most important players of the national, Frenkie de Jong (28 years).
Barcelona's midfielder was integrally in success with Finland, after recently ticked 67 minutes in the victory with the same score against Malta.
Marco Van Basten criticized Frenkie de Jong: “It was a kind of post -football”
“Played too little forward. Everything was a kind of postcard football. You would expect to speed up the game, but that didn't happen. That disappointed me“, Said Marco van Basten, according to Sportnieuws.nl.
“His role is to quickly carry the ball from the back in front. But this happened rarely. It is a pity, because Frenkie has the vision and qualities to do this,” added the legendary footballer.
Van Basten compared the Dutch with his colleague of Pedri Club, who, in his opinion, in Spain offers those decisive passes: “This is exactly what you expect from Frenkie. Pedri plays faster, dare more before. I missed the national yesterday.”
Ruud Gullit, the former colleague of the national of the Netherlands and from AC Milan of Marco Van Basten, intervened: “There he feels good. To national, everything looks slower”.
Marco Van Basten won 18 trophies with Milan and Ajax Plus the title with the Netherlands at Euro 1988 / Photo: Imago
Van Basten sees a bigger problem at national
The criticisms of the 1988 European champion were not limited to the Jong. The former great striker sees a structural problem in the national game. According to him, the team lacks the rhythm once the ball is recovered.
“I think, in general, the national team of the Netherlands uses too little the moment when the ball intercepts. At that time you can quickly make the transition. This is not only beneficial for attackers, but also important for midfielders and defenders.
We have enough players who dare to play offensive, but too often they play at a too slow pace. Because of this, you always play against a team that is already ready to defend itself. It's a shame, because then you cancel your own play force”Van Basten concluded.
