Rafael van der Vaart Biography

Rafael van der Vaart (Full Name: Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart) is a Spanish/Dutch Footballer born to a Spanish mother and a Dutch father in Heemskerk on February 11, 1983 is a football player of Hamburger SV and the Dutch national team. He has managed 6 goals in 35 caps for the national team, as of December 2005.

He is considered by some to be the star of Dutch football. His technical abilities and excellent vision are especially noted by his fans, and he has been compared to Ajax legends Dennis Bergkamp and Johan Cruyff. His previous clubs were Ajax Amsterdam and De Kennemers. Van der Vaart played for the Netherlands in Euro 2004. Van Der Vaart married his wife, Sylvie Meis, on June 10, 2005, and their first child, Damian Rafael, was born May 28, 2006.
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There is some debate as to where his best position is. His versatility gives him the luxury of being an option to play as striker, attacking central midfielder (nr. 10) or on the left side of midfield. His multi-functional abilities give him a huge advantage over lesser talented players. The common consensus is that he produces his best football as a left-sided midfield player.

Van der Vaart's left foot shot is powerful and accurate. The combination of his presence of mind, reflexes, innovation, athleticism, and trickery have led to a few amazing goals. One particular goal worth mentioning is one for Ajax Amsterdam vs. Feyenoord in which he throws himself forward and makes contact with his heel from a cross that comes behind him. The contact is clean and the ball sails into the net.

He is currently married to Sylvie Meis.

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RAFAEL VAN DER VAART BIOGRAPHY