Edwin van der Sar: Football World Rooting for Former Manchester United and Ajax Goalkeeper
Former Manchester United and Ajax goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in intensive care after suffering a bleed on his brain. The 52-year-old is reportedly being treated in a hospital in Croatia, where he has been on holiday. Ajax said the former Netherlands international, who won 130 caps for his country, is in a “stable condition” and sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery. Van der Sar has also received an outpouring of support from the football community, including his former clubs Manchester United, Fulham, and Juventus.
Van der Sar’s Career
Edwin van der Sar is a legendary figure in the football world. He began his career with Ajax, where he made over 200 appearances and won the UEFA Champions League in 1995. He then moved to Juventus in 1999, where he made 24 appearances before joining Fulham in 2001. Van der Sar made his name at Manchester United, where he made 266 appearances and won three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He retired from playing in 2011 and joined the Ajax board in 2012, later becoming the club’s chief executive in 2016.
Support for Van der Sar
The football world has come together to show their support for Van der Sar. Manchester United said in a statement: “Sending all our love and strength to you, Edwin.” Former United defender Rio Ferdinand sent his support to his old team-mate, tweeting: “Ed is a fighter. Our thoughts are with the Van Der Sar family!” Fulham also sent a message of support, tweeting: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you.” The Professional Footballers’ Association tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at the PFA are with Edwin and his family.”
Analysis of Van der Sar’s Situation
Simon Stone, BBC Sport’s senior football reporter, said: “Football is united in hoping Van der Sar makes a full recovery. First as a superb goalkeeper, with Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United, plus the Dutch national team, then as an administrator, at Ajax and with the influential European Clubs’ Association, he has developed a first-rate reputation.” Stone also noted that Van der Sar endured a difficult final season with Ajax but gave the impression of someone not intent on staying out of the game long.
Van der Sar’s wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage when he was a player at United in 2009 and Sir Alex Ferguson collapsed in 2018, providing positive examples to reflect on in this uncertain time. Football is worried on Van der Sar’s behalf and many good wishes are being extended in public and private as it absorbs this news.
Conclusion
The football world has come together to show their support for Edwin van der Sar as he recovers from a bleed on his brain. Van der Sar is a legendary figure in the football world, having made over 200 appearances for Ajax, 24 appearances for Juventus, 266 appearances for Manchester United, and 130 caps for the Netherlands national team. He has also served as an administrator at Ajax and with the European Clubs’ Association. The football world is hoping for a speedy recovery for Van der Sar and sending their love and strength to him and his family.