Van de Ven Draws Inspiration from Cop TV Star Father and Embraces Football’s Chaotic Nature
Micky van de Ven, a rising star in football, credits his ability to stay calm in the chaos of the Premier League to his father, Marcel, who was an undercover cop in Holland. Marcel worked in a specialist unit that targeted organized crime. Micky recalls not fully understanding the danger his father faced when he was younger, but he knew that his father’s work was high-risk. Marcel’s experiences dealing with high-pressure situations have helped Micky cope with the demands of professional football.
Micky, who recently made a move from Dutch second division side Volendam to German club Wolfsburg in 2021, admits that he used to get nervous when playing in big stadiums. However, his father’s advice to enjoy the atmosphere and embrace the chaos helped him overcome his nerves. Marcel always told Micky to accept everything that was going on around him because it was inevitable. Micky took this advice to heart and learned to switch on when necessary.
Marcel, who is now the lead detective in the Dutch version of the Channel 4 series Hunted, has had a successful career in television since leaving the police force. He has worked on shows such as Kidnapped and Online Criminals Unmasked. Despite his busy schedule, Marcel has always been there to support Micky and inspire him as a man.
Micky’s football career almost ended before it began when a coach at Volendam told him he wasn’t good enough to turn pro. However, former Sheffield Wednesday and Holland midfielder Wim Jonk recognized his potential and offered him a contract. Micky quickly rose through the ranks and became captain of the under-21s before making his first-team debut.
After a breakthrough season at Wolfsburg, Tottenham came calling for Micky. Despite missing two months due to injury, he has excelled this season. Off the field, Micky faced another challenge when he took on legendary referee Russ Bray in a nine-dart challenge during the last World Darts Championship. Although he was nervous, Micky managed to come out on top.
As Marcel would say, Micky has learned to accept the chaos both on and off the field. His ability to stay calm under pressure has been instrumental in his success as a professional footballer. With his talent and resilience, Micky van de Ven is poised to make a name for himself in the world of football.