Clarence Seedorf

At 48 years old, Clarence Seedorf has this physical status:

Clarence Clyde Seedorf (born 1 April 1976) is a Dutch professional football coach and former player.

He was the most recent manager of the Cameroon national team. In 2004, he was chosen by Pelé as one of the best midfielders of his time by many.

Seedorf is one of the most decorated Dutch players ever, and has earned domestic and continental titles while playing for clubs in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Brazil.

He is one of the first and currently the only player to win the Champions League with three clubs, first with Ajax in 1995, then with Real Madrid in 1998 and twice with Milan in 2005 and 2007.

He represented the Netherlands on 87 occasions and appeared at three UEFA European Football Championships (1996, 2000, 2004) and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, qualifying for the second three tournaments in the second decade.

Personal life and other work

Seedorf speaks six languages fluently: Dutch, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Spanish, and Sranan Tongo. Seedorf said in a 2011 interview, he was studying to earn a master's degree in Business at Milan's prestigious Bocconi University; as a result, he earned the nickname "il professore" ("the professor") during his time playing at Milan. Seedorf is married to Luviana Seedorf, a Brazilian woman with whom he owns a restaurant called Finger's in Milan. They have four children. The partnership is reported to have ended around 2018, with Seedorf finding Sophia Makramati, a Canadian citizen of Iranian descent and Muslim religious roots, in the United States. Seedorf revealed on Instagram that he had converted to Islam in Abu Dhabi on March 4th, 2022.

During recent years, Seedorf has dabbled in media work. He began working with The New York Times in 2009 to write "Seedorf responds," a column in which once a month he would answer people's questions about football. He spent time in South Africa with the BBC covering the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a television analyst. He also delivered a number of pieces for the BBC News, including one about Robben Island. He appeared on Match of the Day Live coverage of UEFA Euro 2012. Throughout the English football league season, he has appeared on Match of the Day 2 twice.

He is involved in several social development programs in Suriname, where he was born, due to his strong links with the country Suriname. In the district of Paraguar's district of Paraphrasedoutput, he built his own "Clarence Seedorf Stadium." The Paragua league of Suriname is being hosted in this stadium, and the Suri Profs & SV teams compete there regularly. He supports programs for charitable causes in Suriname, as a member of the Champions for Children Foundation. Suriname has honoured him as the Commandor of the High Order of the Yellow Star, and he was commissioned as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (OON) in 2011.

Seedorf revealed at a press conference on June 5th, 2009, he became Nelson Mandela's youngest Legacy Champion. He works with Patrice Motsepe, Tokyo Sexwale, David Rockefeller, Peggy Dulany, and Bill Clinton, who are also members of a select group of philanthropists committed to ensure that Mr. Mandela's legacy lives on.

Seedorf took part in Soccer Aid, a charity match at Old Trafford involving former professional players and celebrities, both in 2012 and 2014. He was a member of "The Rest of the World" team against England. In 2014, he scored a hat-trick, where The Rest of the World defeated 4–2; they raised over £4 million in total.

Collin Seedorf, Clarence's nephew, is also a qualified footballer and currently plays for FC Eindhoven, the Dutch team.

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Early career

Seedorf, a born in Paragua, Suriname, was raised as a Christian in Almere, Flevoland, where he was moved when he was two years old. He grew up in a footballing family, including Jürgen and Chedric Seedorf and his father, former player and talent agent Johann Seedorf.

Seedorf started his career in the youth ranks of his local amateur teams, VVAS '80 and Real Almere, before being found and recruited by Urgent Scoutingteam, which was also responsible for recruiting Frank and Ronald de Boer, Edgar Davids, Robert Witschge, and Patrick Kluivert to the team.

Following in their brother's footsteps, as well as cousin Stefano, will later join the ranks of Ajax.

Club career

Seedorf, a product of Ajax Youth Academy, began his career as a right midfielder for Ajax in the early 1990s. On November 29, 1992, he made his professional debut against Groningen at the age of 16 years and 242 days, making him the youngest-ever debutant for Ajax at the time. He quickly established himself as the first choice in his position under new coach Louis van Gaal, and in the 1993–94 season, his second with the club, he helped the Amsterdam-based team win the treble, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch Super Cup were all contested. Frank Rijkaard, the player he used to idolize in his younger days, was one of his teammates.

Seedorf helped his team win consecutive Super Cup and Elves titles, as well as help his side win their fourth European Cup title after defeating AC Milan in the final in the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League. He was instrumental in the final until being recalled in the 53rd minute by striker Nwankwo Kanu. Ajax beat the Italian giants 1–0, with Patrick Kluivert scoring late to lift the Ajax to a 1–0 win. Seedorf would not return to Ajax for a decade. While at Ajax, he was part of a trio called "De kabel," made up of Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, and himself. Winston Bogarde and Michael Reiziger will be brought into the company later this year to make it a quintet; what had started as a friendship was then taken over during the UEFA Euro 1996 to refer to the group.

Seedorf decided against extending his contract with Ajax due to the Bosman's decision, but instead, he signed a one-year deal with Italian Serie A side Sampdoria. Despite not being able to obtain any silverware in his first season with his new club, Seedorf played in 32 games, scoring three goals, assisting his team to an eighth-place finish in the league table, while still retaining the form he had seen at Ajax in the past. Seedorf was able to obtain a transfer to Real Madrid, transferring to the Spanish La Liga before the season ended.

Seedorf moved to Real Madrid in 1996, where he was virtually ever present for Los Blancos in his first three seasons. In his first season as coach, he helped the team regained the La Liga crown, while in his second season, 1997–98, he played a major part in the team's Champions League triumph, winning his second Champions League title of his career.

Seedorf scored a crucial long-range goal against Atlético Madrid in 1997 when he was playing for Real Madrid. Madrid and Juventus attempted to trade Seedorf for Zinedine Zidane during the 1998-99 season, but the French playmaker waited two years before joining Real Madrid.

Seedorf's role at Real Madrid began in 1999, during the tenure of Dutch manager Guus Hiddink at the club. During the 1999-2000 season, he was eventually transferred to Italy, this time to Inter Milan, for a fee of 44 billion Italian lira (approximately €23 million).

Seedorf left Inter in a $24.35 million contract on December 24, 1999, establishing his spot in the Real Madrid midfield for more than three years. Despite helping the team advance to the Coppa Italia final later this season, Seedorf was unable to help the team return any major silverware to the club. Nonetheless, many Inter fans are recalled for his two goals against Juventus in a 2–2 draw on March 9, 2002, both of which were spectacular long-range goals.

Seedorf moved to AC Milan in 2002 in a swap with Francesco Coco after two years with Inter. Seedorf won the Coppa Italia with Milan in 2003, the first time they had won the competition in 26 years. Seedorf earned his third Champions League medal in the same season, becoming the first player to win the Champions League with three clubs. Milan defeated Juventus on penalties after a 0–0 draw, despite Seedorf's inability to convert his own penalty. Seedorf was a member of the Milan side that took the Serie A crown during the 2003–04 season. It was Seedorf's fourth national league title of his career, following his two Dutch championship victories with Ajax and his one Spanish victory with Real Madrid.

Seedorf was involved in Milan's Champions League final in 2005, scoring the only goal of the game against Shakhtar Donetsk on September 14, 2004, when the team was undefeated in all 13 tournament matches. He started the match against Liverpool in Istanbul, where Milan took a 3–0 lead and then lost on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Seedorf did not take a penalty kick until the game began. In Serie A, Milan came in runner's, seven points behind champions Juventus, although Juventus was stripped of the title and Milan was fined for match fixing.

A match-fixing fiasco tarnished Serie A and Milan, but the players were allowed to continue in Europe the following season, which resulted in their top players staying with the club. In a 2–2 draw against Schalke, he scored a goal after just 25 seconds in the 2005–06 season.

Seedorf's role as foil to midfielder Kaká became more valuable as the pair combined in style to score and provide the goals that pushed Milan over Bayern Munich and Manchester United in another Champions League final against Liverpool. However, they beat them 2–1 in Athens, earning Seedorf his fourth Champions League gold. Seedorf was a member of the Milan squad that won the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first European player to win the trophy with three clubs (Ajax in 1995 and Real Madrid in 1998). He won the Silver Ball for the tournament, including being the top scorer against Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals to advance his team to the final.

Seedorf was voted the best midfielder of the Champions League at the end of the 2006–07 season. On December 4, he played his 100th game in the Champions League against Celtic.

Seedorf formed a strong midfield partnership with Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, which began in 2002-03 with Milan. This midfield trio was still in the starting lineup from 2011 to 2012 (Pirlo left the Rossoneri in the summer of 2011), but their form had been declining. They were encouraged to assist an attacking midfielder under coach Carlo Ancelotti's direction, whether it be Rivaldo, Rui Costa, Kaká, or Ronaldinho.

Following a game against his old team, Sampdoria, in which he scored, Seedorf became the foreigner with the most appearances for Milan. He made this historic debut at 395 appearances at Nils Liedholm. He also made the ninth-highest scoring foreigner for Milan with 58 goals during the Sampdoria game. Seedorf was the object of racial chants from Lazio supporters in a 1–1 draw, resulting in the Italian Football Federation's fine of the Rome-based club of €15,000 (FIGC). In Serie A, the Italy's players' union raged for bigotry.

Seedorf won his second Scudetto with Milan in the 2010-11 Serie A season, where he played a key role. In the 2010-11 season, he scored four goals and made 36 appearances. Seedorf earned yet another medal to his trophy cabinet in his first official game of the 2011–12 season, where he played the full 90 minutes over Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana. He scored the winning goal of Milan's first victory of the 2011–12 Serie A campaign, a 1–0 win over Cesena on September 24.

Seedorf was ranked seventh among the top players of the Champions League, a list that was assembled in 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the tournament. Champions, the official magazine of UEFA, published the rankings. He announced on May 14 that he was playing his last match against Novara that day. He also confirmed that he will continue to play football for another team. Seedorf held a press conference on June 21 to announce his departure from Milan, adding, "I am leaving after ten glorious years." After playing for the Rossoneri for a decade and winning two Champions Leagues, two Scudettos, and a Coppa Italia, I'm leaving a family." Following Seedorf's departure in the highest regard, club CEO Adriano Galliani expressed admiration for the player's departure, saying, "When Milan played well, which happened more often, every time Seedorf played an excellent match." He is a world class player."

Seedorf signed a two-year deal with Brazilian club Botafogo on June 30, 2012. On July 22, the veteran midfielder made his club debut against Grêmio. Seedorf scored his first goal for Botafogo on August 5th, curling in a free kick against Atlético Goianiense. Seedorf scored two goals and provided an assist against Cruzeiro on September 5th, helping Botafogo beat Cruzeiro 3-1. Seedorf scored a hat-trick against Macaé on February 3rd, his first game as a starter this year. Seedorf played the second half against Fluminense and had a good assist to Bolvar, the match's equalizer, ahead of his match.

Seedorf claimed his first title with Botafogo: the 2013 Taça Guanabara in the first round of 2013 Campeonato Carioca. He defeated Fluminense in the second round of 2013 Campeonato Carioca – 2013 Taça Rio – on May 5th. The team won both rounds and no final match was required, marking the day of his first official Botafogo championship, 2013 Campeonato Carioca. Seedorf scored his 100th goal in domestic league play on June 6: 11 with Ajax, 3 with Sampdoria, 15 with Real Madrid, 8 with Inter, 48 with Milan, and 16 with Botafogo. Seedorf resigned from professional football on January 14th. Following Massimiliano Allegri's dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri, he announced that he would stop playing to take up the manager role at Milan.

International career

Players who obtain Dutch citizenship are no longer eligible to represent the Netherlands' former colony due to Surinamese laws against dual citizenship. He got his first call-up against Luxembourg on December 14, 1994 at the age of 18. Seedorf scored on his debut in a UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier, helping his team win 5–0.

Seedorf was in the Dutch squad for the UEFA European Championships in 1996, where his penalty misses proved decisive in the quarter-final shootout loss to France. He appeared on Euro 2000 and 2004, as well as the 1998 FIFA World Cup, winning the semi-finals in all three tournaments.

Seedorf was recalled as a replacement for the wounded Wesley Sneijder on November 12, 2006, for the first time since June 2004. In a 1–1 friendly draw against England, he got off and played the full 90 minutes. Seedorf earned the Netherlands' last of his 87 caps in 2007. Seedorf played four and six minutes respectively in the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania (0–0 at home) and Slovenia (1–0 away win). Marco van Basten favored younger players such as Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, and Robin van Persie, amid rumors about his place in the national team. Seedorf said on May 13th, 2008, he would not take part in UEFA Euro 2008 due to his ongoing personal conflict with van Basten.

Managerial career

Seedorf was named Milan's new head coach on January 16, 2014, completing his term with Botafogo early in order to step in as the head coach, with Milan languishing in 11th place in the Serie A table. Mario Balotelli scored his first managerial match against Hellas Verona on January 19th, with Mario Balotelli scoring the lone goal of the game.

Despite leading the club's first five-match winning run since 2011, and the first Serie A victory over Inter Milan in 2011 after just four months on the job, Filippo Inzaghi was appointed as his successor. Milan gained a total of 35 out of a potential 57 points during the Dutchman's time as president (one less than Napoli's total number and six less than Roma's).

Seedorf was named as the head of China's League One team Shenzhen F.C. Sven-Göran Eriksson took over in July 2016, but five months later. Seedorf joined Brazilian club Atlético Paranaense as both a coach and a sports director a year later. Within a month, the contract was terminated after both parties failed to reach an agreement. Seedorf was appointed as the head of Spanish club Deportivo de La Corua for the remainder of the 2017-18 season in February 2018. Seedorf coached the team to just two victories in sixteen games, Deportivo was promoted from La Liga, and Deportivo was fired from La Liga after the season, but Seedorf remained with the club until the end of the season.

The Fédération Camerounaise de Football announced Seedorf as the head of the Cameroon national team in August 2018 after a pact with Sven-Göran Eriksson could not be reached. Patrick Kluivert, a former teammate, was brought as his assistant manager. However, Cameroon was sacked by Nigeria in the round of sixteen after an unimpressive group stage in July 2019.

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