'I think Max is the biggest sports hero, at least in the Netherlands, right now'

09:07, 29 Apr

byOlly Darcy

On April 25, Johan Cruyff, the world-class Dutch footballer who shone at clubs including Ajax and FC Barcelona, would have been 78 years old. But is the Dutchman still the biggest sports star, or does that title now belong to Max Verstappen? That very question was being discussed on Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport's Race Café.

Verstappen and Cruijff met each other in early 2016. A few weeks later, Cruijff, who was battling lung cancer, passed away. Not even two months after the legend's death, Verstappen won his first race with a very special time: 1:41:40, twice sporting the number fourteen, the number worn by Cruyff while at Ajax.

"Verstappen and Cruijff had a good connection," said Race Café host Chris Zegers. Journalist Rick Winkelman later spoke about the bond that Cruijff and Verstappen had: "They had a very good, special contact. We often see that athletes who are exceptionally good are attracted to each other. They had a very good contact, Johan and Max. Johan and Jos as well."

Max Verstappen celebrating his sublime Japanese Grand Prix victory on the podium in Suzuka

Is Verstappen the biggest Dutch sports star?

2015 was when Verstappen made his debut, with his first race win coming in his very first Red Bull Racing start at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Since then, the 27-year-old has proved to be one of the greatest drivers the pinnacle of motorsport has ever seen, with four titles to his name, including many records that were broken during the 2023 season.

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But is Verstappen the biggest sports hero in the Netherlands at the moment, potentially even taking over from Cruyff as the biggest Dutch sports star?

"Yes, maybe Mathieu van der Poel at this moment. But I think Max is even bigger globally than Van der Poel," Winkelman responded.

"Yes, I think Max is currently the biggest. And that was Cruyff too. I'm also thinking of other sports, that's why I mentioned Mathieu van der Poel. But I think you can say that at the moment [that Verstappen is the biggest Dutch sports hero right now].”

Dutch racer and current IMSA SportsCar Championship Renger van der Zande agreed with Winkelman: “Johan was, of course, very sharp. He could sense that he was standing with a legend in the making.”

This article was written in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut