AJAX STAR JUSTIN Kluivert says he wants to follow his father’s example by becoming one of the world’s best players.
The 18-year-old winger has replicated his father and Netherlands icon Patrick Kluivert by emerging as a teenage star with Ajax.
After impressing last season for the Amsterdam giants, Kluivert has been one of the stars of the current campaign, scoring five goals in his last six Eredivisie appearances.
The Ajax academy graduate knows he faces great expectations as the son of a Champions League-winning striker, but he believes he can do even better than his dad.
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“I want to keep the Kluivert name high,” he told Algemeen Dagblad. “Everyone knows the name. That must motivate you.
“I’m going to the top like my father. Maybe it will be a bit less, maybe better. I don’t find it irritating, though. He just makes me proud. It’s nice to have a father like that. He has been on the ride.”
The winger has fought his way back into Ajax’s starting XI after being used on the right wing at the start of the season before being dropped to the bench, but he feels he has looked bright again in recent weeks.
“I’m happy that I’ve had the chance on the left wing lately,” he said. “That is really my position, but I must get better and must make more goals. I’m 18 years old and only just starting. Everything is different now. Opponents get to know you and I get covered twice as much. I see it as a compliment.
At the beginning of the season I had a lesser period. Then, I was thinking too much, while I must play to my own style. If I keep doing that, I hope that this year I can debut for Netherlands, just like my dad.”
Kluivert was linked to a move to Manchester United by British newspapers after he was pictured talking to Jose Mourinho after the two sides met in the Europa League final, but he maintains there was no talk of a transfer.
“Mourinho did not have a second to discuss a transfer,” he added. “He thought it was nice to see me. Mourinho knows me from when I was a child and my father played at Barcelona while Mourinho worked there as assistant coach.
“It was a shame that I didn’t play in the final, but the journey there was special for a youngster of 17 to make.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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The son of a Dutch footballing legend is aiming to follow in his father's footsteps
AJAX STAR JUSTIN Kluivert says he wants to follow his father’s example by becoming one of the world’s best players.
The 18-year-old winger has replicated his father and Netherlands icon Patrick Kluivert by emerging as a teenage star with Ajax.
After impressing last season for the Amsterdam giants, Kluivert has been one of the stars of the current campaign, scoring five goals in his last six Eredivisie appearances.
The Ajax academy graduate knows he faces great expectations as the son of a Champions League-winning striker, but he believes he can do even better than his dad.
“I want to keep the Kluivert name high,” he told Algemeen Dagblad. “Everyone knows the name. That must motivate you.
“I’m going to the top like my father. Maybe it will be a bit less, maybe better. I don’t find it irritating, though. He just makes me proud. It’s nice to have a father like that. He has been on the ride.”
The winger has fought his way back into Ajax’s starting XI after being used on the right wing at the start of the season before being dropped to the bench, but he feels he has looked bright again in recent weeks.
“I’m happy that I’ve had the chance on the left wing lately,” he said. “That is really my position, but I must get better and must make more goals. I’m 18 years old and only just starting. Everything is different now. Opponents get to know you and I get covered twice as much. I see it as a compliment.
Kluivert was linked to a move to Manchester United by British newspapers after he was pictured talking to Jose Mourinho after the two sides met in the Europa League final, but he maintains there was no talk of a transfer.
“Mourinho did not have a second to discuss a transfer,” he added. “He thought it was nice to see me. Mourinho knows me from when I was a child and my father played at Barcelona while Mourinho worked there as assistant coach.
“It was a shame that I didn’t play in the final, but the journey there was special for a youngster of 17 to make.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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UEFA Europa League father heir apparent justin kluivert Patrick Kluivert Ajax Netherlands