ANPDaley Blind
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 14:41
Daley Blind is no longer available for the Dutch national team. The 34-year-old footballer wrote this on social media.
The player from the Spanish Girona played 108 international matches for the Dutch national team. “After a good conversation with the national coach, it is time to fully focus on my club and my family.”
During the European Championship in Germany last summer, Blind was selected by national coach Ronald Koeman, but he hardly played. In the eighth final against Romania he came on the field in injury time, the rest of the matches he remained on the bench.
Reserve
The former Ajax, Manchester United and Bayern Munich player accepted his role as a reserve at the European Championship. “It is not an easy role, but I still find it a great honour to play for the Dutch national team and to be at a European Championship,” he said at the time.
Blind has now decided to end his international career. “It was an honour to wear the Orange shirt 108 times, for me that is the highest achievable as a player: representing your country. For eleven years I have done everything I could to be able to wear that beautiful Orange shirt. It has given me so much, so many beautiful moments. I cherish those.”
Blind made his debut for the Dutch national team in 2013 in a match against Italy (1-1). With his 108 international matches, he is fifth on the list of players with the most matches for the Dutch national team. He has to admit defeat to Rafael van der Vaart (109), Frank de Boer (112), Edwin van der Sar (130) and Wesley Sneijder (134).
Highlights from Daley Blind’s long career in Oranje
The defender has played in four final tournaments: two European Championships (2020 and 2024) and two World Cups (2014 and 2022).
The most memorable moment of Blind’s Oranje career is his cross to Robin van Persie at the World Cup in Brazil. In the 5-1 group match win against Spain, Blind gave a long ball to the attacker, who headed it in with a diving header.
