“I have to stop now. I’m not to Rehabilitation here, but to play football,” said van der Vaart, the Dutch daily newspaper “De Telegraaf”.

The former player of Hamburger SV spoke of gratitude for his long career. “All of these players, employees and Fans, the ArenA, the people’s Park stadium, White Hart Lane to the Bernabeu, I just have a warm feeling. It was a great time,” said the “little angels”, such as the 109-time Dutch national player is called.

Van der Vaart also played twice for HSV. From 2005 to 2008 and from 2012 until 2015, he scored 199 games 66 goals. “Thank you for everything Rafa. We wish you for the time after the career all the best!”, tweeted the HSV. The attacking midfielder was also at Ajax Amsterdam, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, FC Midtjylland and Betis Sevilla. In his club career takes him in 546 Games 175 goals. In the Dutch national team, he met 25 Times.

report “De Telegraaf”

message HSV