Steven Bergwijn’s move to Saudi Arabia has ended his international career with the Netherlands.
Bergwijn left his Dutch club Ajax, where he was the captain, to join Al-Ittihad for 21 million euros ($23 million) on Monday.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman commented on Bergwijn’s decision, saying that “sporting ambition is not the main consideration” for the former Tottenham forward.
When asked if Bergwijn’s chances with the Dutch team are closed, Koeman replied, “In principle, yes.”
The 26-year-old Bergwijn played in the recent European Championship, starting for the Dutch in the last 16 and quarterfinals, and also started against Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals in 2022. He has been with the national team since 2018.
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes mentioned that Bergwijn “made no secret of the fact that, if a good offer came from abroad, he would make the move” during the summer transfer window.
Koeman said Bergwijn’s case is different from that of Georginio Wijnaldum, who was selected for Euro 2024 despite moving to Saudi Arabia. Koeman explained that Wijnaldum moved to get more playing time after falling out of favor at Paris Saint-Germain.
“I don’t think you should compare the two situations,” Koeman said.
Bergwijn was not included in the Netherlands’ squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany. Neither was fellow forward Memphis Depay, who is a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid.
“If you don’t have a club, then you can’t play football, and you can’t be part of a Dutch team either,” Koeman said. “But Memphis is 30 years old, and let’s hope that he will find a club, get fit, and start playing.
“He is still an option for me with the Dutch national team.”
