,, That is appreciated. I have a photo on which I shot on my mothers as a baby and that we are watching the Dutch national team on TV with my grandmother. I never had a favorite club. I always wanted one thing and that was to play for the Dutch national team. That you score so much and get such a nice applause is very beautiful. ”
Is it a confirmation of what you have meant for the Dutch national team?
,, I think so. I have always tried to deliver for the Dutch national team for twelve years with great enthusiasm. Of course I became another player. I think this is a time to be proud of. “
Don’t you disappoint that you had to get out and that you were not also the 51one could make?
,, Of course you are always hungry for more and in that final phase you see that there is more room. You might still like the 51one made, but I am also happy with my assist and if I keep going like that, it will come 51one there. “
What do you think is the most beautiful or most special goal of that fifty?
,, It was my first against Australia (at the 2014 World Cup, ed.). That was special. That was also an important one. But it wasn’t the most beautiful. The second goal of today was a nice goal, a dry bang. That goal against Turkey, from the sky, who gave Davy Klaassen was a nice goal. The Panenka against France was also special. Also by the moment. The national coach said this week that it might be the best match that this group put on the mat against a France. “
It is still especially for you that you have now matched Robin van Persie. What does he mean for you as a football player?
,, That is of course special. He has been a big player for the Dutch national team but also had a great club career. I still played with him. That’s special. He was a very different player than I am. I filled in the rush -hour position in my way with my qualities. In a different way than he did. But you saw the special class with him. And not only with Robin also with the other boys, Arjen (Robben, ed.), Wesley (Sneijder, ed.). You saw that they were special. That was very motivating for me. Robin was a striker with a phenomenal touch, a left leg. “
How important is the diptych against Spain, in which you returned to Oranje, has been for you?
,, Very important. I am 31. That is not that old. It has been an important competition. We played well. I think I had an important role. People sometimes do not see that or sometimes does not want to see it. But I think I still have a lot of quality. “
Younger players like Ryan Gravenberch indicate that they have a lot to you. Do you realize that?
,, I think they feel comfortable with me when they sit at my table. I think I have the same interests as those young guests. I am a kind of older brother. For example, I love the same music. In terms of life experience, they can learn something from me. That goes natural. I don’t try to read the lesson or to tell everything. But if they ask something, I will try to give my opinion. “
That is outside the field. How do you make yourself apply within the field?
,, We have so much quality. Sometimes you have to be sharp and sometimes you can also coach very positive. That depends on it. You have to coach boys with such qualities in a good way so that they continue to put a risk in their play. ”
Have you become more efficient in your game with aging?
,, The team is changing. When I had a striker role in which I fell a little more, we didn’t create many opportunities. By sinking out I could put people away. Now it was an opponent against which we could play football. I was really surprised how much space we had between the lines. Then I don’t have to drop that much. If I can stand in the rush and can make my goal from there, why not. Then I don’t have to play twenty, thirty meters from the goal. That is only better for me. But that wasn’t the case for a while. The team is changing and you have to adapt to that. I try to read the competition. That fits in with my game. ”