With a big applause in the dressing room and a 3-0 victory, Bruno Martins Indi left the field in Zwolle. After 1 year and 6 days, the AZ captain made his return and that caused a lot of emotion. “It’s a special day for me,” says the 31-year-old footballer.
The central defender was injured against Ajax last September. He had a torn tendon in his thigh and that kept him sidelined all this time. He had to miss the World Cup with the Dutch national team and he also had to watch AZ’s European adventure from the sidelines. He came on as a substitute against PEC Zwolle halfway through the second half.
“I have seen him work very hard every day to come back,” says trainer Pascal Jansen about the return of Martins Indi. “It is also very special for me,” says Jansen, who experienced the process up close.
Captaincy armband
By the way, Martins Indi is again the first captain of Alkmaarders, but the band remained around Jordy Clasie’s arm. The defender thought he was replaced by Clasie excellently and gave him the tie until the end of the match. “I said he could keep it on. He leads the team fantastic. We are in this together.”