The Dutch (Eredivisie) footballing culture is arguably the most fascinating in the world, considering their painstaking investment in producing and nurturing amazing players.
The Netherlands, a relatively small European country, only embraced professional football in 1956, allowing the clubs to compete season in, and season out.
Since the creation of the Eredivisie, it has built up a worldwide reputation as one of the best leagues that nurtured and produced world-class players who have punched above their weight to achieve success.
Every footballer’s dream is centred on lifting as much silverware as possible, as such who are the most successful players in the Eredivisie?
1. Jan Heintze – (9 Titles)
The little Dane ‘Jan Heintze’ came to the Eredivisie as a nobody, but left as a champion at PSV Eindhoven where he spent 16 seasons.
During his active years in the Eredivisie, Heintze was known for his enormous commitment, ferocity and outstanding fitness on the left flank of PSV Eindhoven’s defence.
Throughout his meteoric career in the Netherlands, he featured in 395 league games and scored seven goals with a total of 9 titles to his name in the shirt of the ‘Red & Whites’.
2. Johan Cruyff – (9 Titles)
Johan Cruyff is an iconic figure whose name will never be forgotten in the sporting lore because of his impact on the beautiful game.
For many football enthusiasts, he was more than just a footballer because he was a visionary whose ideas helped change the perception of the game with the popular ‘Total Football’.
The Amsterdam-born achieved staggering success with Ajax Amsterdam, winning 18 major honours including three consecutive European Cups and 9 Eredivisie titles.
3. Gerald Vanenburg – (8 Titles)
For those who saw Vanenburg dazzled with the ball on his foot, they believed he is a better player with a more superb technique compared to other legendary Dutch players.
Vaantje or Geraldinho as he is often called by the Ajax Amsterdam faithful, proved himself to be one of the most respected, refined and creative players from Dutch soil.
The Utrecht-born made his debut for Ajax at the age of 17, and because of his rapid growth and incredible talent, he became a key cog in the team and went on to win three championships with the club and the other four with PSV Eindhoven.
4. Sjaak Swart – (8 Titles)
Sjaak Swart is an iconic name that resonates deeply with football communities all over the globe, particularly Ajax Amsterdam’s fans considering his impact and achievements in the colours of ‘De Godenzonen’.
As a pivotal figure in the golden era of Ajax Amsterdam in the early 1970s, he alongside other legends ruled the Eredivisie and European competition with total dominance winning the competition three times consecutively.
Mister Ajax, as he’s fondly called had an illustrious career which without doubt extended beyond his technical skills and tactical intelligence on the field.
5. Daley Blind – (7 Titles)
In an era where sons of legendary footballers have found it hard to replicate the monumental successes of their fathers, Daley could easily say he has done fantastically well for himself as a son of a legend.
Blind may not be as good as his father was, but he is also an amazing player blessed with both technical and tactical qualities that help him function perfectly in any position.
Before leaving for Manchester United he contributed massively to the four consecutive league titles the club has won since 2011, while in his second coming he won three more titles to make it 7 in total.
6. Andre Ooijer – (7 Titles)
Andre Ooijer, is a renowned name that resonates deeply with Premier League faithful, considering how he struggled badly to adjust to the league in his debut.
However, before his move to the Premier League, he was a different breed of defensive animal in the Eredivisie that goes toe to toe with the best of attacks in the league.
Ooijer may not be the quickest of defenders, but he was blessed with the ability to read the game along with a very good positional sense that got him to win a total of 7 Eredivisie titles.
7. Eric Addo – (7 Titles)
Eric Addo is a legendary Ghanaian player who painstakingly paid his dues in the Eredivisie before he became an honourable figure in the history of the championship.
He became the first Ghanaian in history to win seven league titles in one of Europe’s major leagues after his club PSV Eindhoven became champions of the Eredivisie in 2008.
Addo was so loved and appreciated that the club decided to honour him in 2009 for his dedicated sell-out service to PSV Eindhoven when he was leaving the club.
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8. Soren Lerby – (7 Titles)
Scandinavian and Nordic nations have a long history of blessing the footballing world with great players who are destined for success in their careers, such is Lerby who is also an amazing player who came from the Scan-nordic region.
In an era when Danish football was blessed with an ultra-attacking team of world-class players, Lerby was a walking dynamite for both Ajax and Bayern Munich.
Even though he couldn’t win anything for Denmark at the International level, his club career was truly a blessing for the kind of success he achieved.
9. Barry Hulshoff – (7 Titles)
Hulshoff is an iconic Ajax defender who joined the club as a youth team player, aged 19 in 1966 and went on to become a club legend with over 300 appearances.
In his over 12 seasons with ‘De Godenzonen’ he won three European cups, seven Eredivisie titles and four KNVB cups with Ajax.
Though the legendary defender has gone to the afterlife, Manchester United centre-back Matthijs De Ligt will never forget the role he played in his career.
10. Wim Suurbier – (7 Titles)
Suurbier is a sturdy and adventurous right-back renowned for his flamboyant play sense of humour and leadership off and on the pitch during his active days.
Between 1964 and 1977, Suurbier made 509 appearances for ‘De Godenzonen’ in an era in which the team dominated with their swashbuckling total football style of play.
In his 13-year spell with Ajax Amsterdam, he helped the team to an amazing hat-trick of European Champion Club’s Cup triumphs from 1971 to 1973 and likewise won a total of 7 Eredivisie titles in the colour of the club.
Honorable Mention
- Wilfred Bouma – (6 Titles)
- Sonny Silooy – (6 Titles)
- Berry van Aerle – (6 Titles)
- Hans van Breukelen – (6 Titles)
- Eric Gerets – (6 Titles)
- Wim Kieft – (6 Titles)
- Willy van de Kerkhof – (6 Titles)
- Frank Arnesen – (6 Titles)
- Dick Schoenaker – (6 Titles)
- Ruud Krol – (6 Titles)
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