Yossi Benayoun

 

Profile Football Stars | Yossi Benayoun | Benayoun started his career aged nine with Hapoel Be'er Sheva. By his 16th birthday, he was the Ajax youth team's highest scorer and best player, and Ajax duly Offered Benayoun a four-year professional contract.  Haifa's Goalkeeper, Nir Davidovich, saved the shot but Benayoun scored the rebound to give his team the win Benayoun finished as the league's joint fourth-leading goalscorer That season, with 15 goals in 25 appearances. After That season, Benayoun moved to Maccabi Haifa in a deal signed by Ya'akov Shahar (Maccabi Haifa's president) and Eli Zino (the former president of Be'er Sheva), and it was Agreed That the two clubs would share the profits from selling Benayoun to a European club. Benayoun also scored 16 goals in 29 matches for Haifa in the 1998-99 Liga Leumit, finishing the season as the equal leading goalscorer for his eighth team

In 2002, Benayoun moved to Racing de Santander in Spain's La Liga, scoring five goals in 31 matches his first season (2002-03 La Liga), seven goals in 35 matches his second (2003-04 La Liga), and nine goals in 35 matches his third (2004-05 La Liga), the latter Including a hat-trick against Deportivo La Coruña in a 4-1 away victory. In total, he made 101 appearances for Racing, scoring 21 goals. Newly Promoted FA Premier League team West Ham United completed the signing of Benayoun in July 2005 for a fee of £ 2.5 Million, with Benayoun signing a four-year contract. Manager Alan Pardew hailed the signing citing Benayoun's ability to 'open the door when teams sit deep 'while Benayoun Revealed his excitement at the opportunity to play for West Ham and in the Premiership. The signing Appeared to be a match made in heaven Following Benayoun's first season in the which he scored five goals and made the Premier League Premier League eight assists. Benayoun played in the 125th FA Cup Final for West Ham against European Champions Liverpool. Benayoun scored five times in 34 matches in his first season at West Ham, three goals in 29 appearances his second season.

Benayoun moved to Liverpool under controversial circumstances. The Controversy was heightened on 10 July when the Israeli media reported That Benayoun's agent , Ronen Katsav, had Agreed a deal with Liverpool's Benayoun the which would mean taking a lower pay than the £ 50,000 a week Offered by West Ham in May. On 12 July, Liverpool's official website reported on Their That the signing of Yossi Benayoun had been completed a £ 5 million deal with him signing a four-year contract. Benayoun finished his second season at Anfield in spectacular fashion; scoring a goal in each of Liverpool's last three home matches. In the 2008-09 season, Benayoun played in 39 matches, scoring nine goals, Including eight league goals against Wigan, Blackburn, Newcastle, Sunderland, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and a brace against Arsenal. On 12 September 2009, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick for Liverpool in a 4-0 win against Burnley. He Remains the only player to score Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup hat tricks. He scored the first goal in Liverpool's 3-0 win over West Ham.

Benayoun signed for Chelsea on 2 July 2010, agreeing on a three-year deal, and keeping him with the Stamford Bridge club until summer 2013. On 26 August 2011, Juan Mata Offered Benayoun his number 10 shirt. "(Florent Malouda wears number 15 for Chelsea.) Benayoun changed to wear number 30 shirt. On 20 September 2011, Benayoun scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 78th minute of a League Cup match against Shrewsbury Town. Benayoun scored his first Champions League goal for Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat to Olympiakos.

Benayoun was a member of the Israel U16 team came That third in the 1996 UEFA European Under-16 Championship. Benayoun scored his first international hat-trick in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against San Marino at Ramat Gan Stadium on 8 September 1999. The match finished as an 8-0 win for Israel. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Benayoun Became the leading player of the Israeli national team after equalizing against Cyprus at home (That game ended in a 2-1 to Israel) and scoring twice against Switzerland. In the away game in Cyprus, Benayoun assisted the winning goal after Nir Davidovich saved a crucial goal. Just prior to the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers, Benayoun was given the captaincy of the Israeli national team. In eight appearances in the qualifiers, Benayoun has scored two goals. On 2 September 2010, Benayoun scored his second international hat-trick against Malta in a 3-1 win.

Personal information
Full name Yosef Shai Benayoun
Date of birth 5 May 1980 (age 31)
Place of birth Dimona, Israel
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder

Club information
Current club Arsenal
(on ​​loan from Chelsea)
Number 30

Youth career
Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1989-1995
Ajax 1995-1996
Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1996-1997

Senior career
years Team
Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1997-1998 25 (15)
Maccabi Haifa 1998-2002 130 (55)
Racing de Santander 2002-2005 101 (21)
2005-2007 West Ham United 63 (8)
2007-2010 Liverpool 92 (18)
2010-Chelsea 8 (1)
2011-Arsenal (loan) 16 (2)

National team
1998-2001 Israel U21 11 (5)
1998-Israel 85 (24)

Honours

Club
Maccabi Haifa
     Israeli Premier League winners: 2000-01, 2001-02
     Israel State Cup finalist: 2002

West Ham United
     FA Cup finalist: 2006

Chelsea
     FA Community Shield finalists: 2010
     Premier League Asia Trophy: 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy

Individual
     Footballer of the Year - Israel: 2000-01

Klaas Jan Huntelaar

 

Profile Football Stars | Klaas Jan Huntelaar | Huntelaar went on to score eight goals in 20 appearances (13 starts and 7 sub appearances) in just half a season at Real Madrid. On 14 August 2009, Huntelaar made his debut for Milan during the TIM Trophy tournament friendly. Huntelaar was Unable to play any part in Milan's opening league game of the season due to a suspension he had Incurred whilst playing for Real Madrid. Previously Huntelaar played for PSV, De Graafschap, AGOVV Apeldoorn, Heerenveen, Ajax, Real Madrid, and Milan, before joining Schalke in August 2010. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, nicknamed The Hunter, is a Dutch footballer plays as a striker who for Schalke 04 and the Dutch national football team.

In his first season at PSV, Huntelaar Quickly established Himself as a Prolific goalscorer for A1 Their youth teams under coach Willy van der Kuijlen, scoring 26 goals in 23 games to Become the top scorer in the youth leagues. In his second season at PSV, Huntelaar was added to the senior squad under coach Guus Hiddink. Huntelaar scored 26 goals in 35 league appearances and finished the season as the division's top goalscorer as well as being named the Jupiler League's Player of the Season. Huntelaar started the 2004-05 season by scoring on his debut Eredivisie with Heerenveen against AZ and took his scoring tally to 10 goals in 17 games at the winter break. At the end of the season Huntelaar had scored a total of 17 goals in 31 matches, Helping Heerenveen qualify for the UEFA Cup.

In January 2006 Huntelaar signed for AFC Ajax, the club he had supported as a child. Huntelaar made his Ajax debut after the winter break and scored his first goal for the team on 5 February 2006, against his former club SC Heerenveen in a KNVB Cup tie. During February, Huntelaar scored nine goals in seven matches for Ajax, Including Serie A club Internazionale against on his UEFA Champions League debut. Huntelaar ended the season as top scorer for Ajax with 16 league goals in 16 appearances Despite only joining in January, and also finished up as the Eredivise's top scorer with 33 league goals. He scored a total of 44 goals in 47 Appearances in all club competitions. At the start of the 2008-09, Marco van Basten was appointed as Ajax coach and named Huntelaar as a permanent first team captain. Huntelaar scored nine goals in 15 appearances in all competitions before torn ankle ligaments Suffering on 9 November 2008 in a league match against Sparta Rotterdam.

Huntelaar played in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship for the Netherlands under coach Louis van Gaal. Huntelaar was named as one of two strikers in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.  In the aftermath, Huntelaar was Promoted from the under-21 squad where he Remains the Netherlands all-time top goalscorer with 18 goals in 22 matches. Huntelaar added further goals to his tally, with a double in a 4-1 win against Sweden on 12 October 2010. After scoring the first goal in the 3-2 defeat against Sweden, Huntelaar's Oranje 30 goal total is only 10 goals away from Patrick Kluivert's all-time record of 40 goals for Oranje.

Personal information
Date of birth: August 12, 1983 (age 28)
Place of birth Voor-Drempt, Achterhoek, Netherlands
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Striker

Club information
Current club Schalke 04
Number 25

Youth career
1988-1994 VV H. en K.
1994-2000 De Graafschap
PSV 2000-2002

Senior career
years Team
2002-2004 PSV 1 (0)
2003 De Graafschap (loan) 9 (0)
AGOVV 2003-2004 (loan) 35 (26)
Heerenveen 2004-2006 46 (33)
Ajax 2006-2009 92 (76)
2009 Real Madrid 20 (8)
2009-2010 Milan 25 (7)
2010 - Schalke 04 46 (26)

National team
2004-2006 Netherlands U-21 20 (18)
2006 - The Netherlands 50 (31)

Honours

Club
     Ajax
         KNVB Cup: 2005-06, 2006-07
         Johan Cruyff Shield: 2006, 2007

     Schalke 04
         DFB-Pokal: 2010-11
         DFL-Supercup: 2011

International
     UEFA U-21 Championship 2006
     2010 FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2010

Individual
     Jupiler League top scorer: 2003-04
     Jupiler League Player of the Year: 2003-04
     Eredivisie top scorer: 2005-06, 2007-08
     Eredivisie Talent of the Year: 2005-06
     UEFA U-21 Championship top scorer: 2006
     UEFA U-21 Championship Golden Player: 2006
     UEFA Euro Qualifying Top scorer: 2012
     Dutch Under-21 All-Time Top scorer
     FC Schalke 04 Record Goalscorer in UEFA Competitions: 13 goals

Thomas Vermaelen

Profile Football Stars | Thomas Vermaelen | Vermaelen started his career in his home country with Germinal Ekeren, the which later changed its name to Germinal Beerschot after a merger. Thomas Vermaelen, is a Belgian footballer who plays for the Premier League club Arsenal and the Belgian national team.

Vermaelen joined the academy of Dutch club Ajax. It was however the only match he played during the season in the which Ajax won the Eredivisie championship. Performances That season resulted in a call-up to the Belgium national football team. Ajax won the Johan Cruijff Shield and another KNVB Cup Following the season and in 2007, They won the Johan Cruijff Shield for the second consecutive time. Following the departure of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in mid-season, Vermaelen served as captain of Ajax for the remainder of the 2008-09 season and he played mostly as a left-back.

Vermaelen joined Arsenal from Ajax for an initial fee of € 10 million (rising to € 12 million) on 19 June 2009, signing a four-year contract. After Kolo Touré surrendered the number 5 jersey to him upon joining Manchester City, Vermaelen, with William Gallas, Arsenal's central defense formed pairing. Vermaelen made his Premier League debut on 15 August 2009 in 1-6 away win against Everton, and scored in the 37th minute. He Became the 84th Arsenal player to score on Their debut. He then scored a brace against Wigan in a 4-0 victory. The game finished 3-0 to Chelsea.

He Became notable for being a goal scoring defender, due to his spectacular 25-yard left footed goal against Blackburn Rovers and many headed goals during the first half of Arsenal's 2009-10 season. Vermaelen finished the season with 45 games and 8 goals in all competitions under his belt. Vermaelen scored Arsenal's second goal in their 3-0 win over West Brom on 5 November. He also featured in the 1-1 draw with Fulham on 26 November, when he scored a 65th minute own-goal but salvaged a point with an 82nd minute equalizer for Arsenal. On 3 December, Vermaelen scored the second goal against Wigan to win the match 4-0. On 12 March 2012, Vermaelen scored the winner in the 95th minute against Newcastle United.

Personal information
Full name Thomas Vermaelen
Date of birth 14 November 1985 (age 26)
Place of birth Kapellen, Belgium
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Defender

Club information
Current club Arsenal
Number 5

Youth career
1999 - Germinal Ekeren
1999 - 2000 Germinal Beerschot
2000 - 2003 Ajax

Senior career
years Team
2003 - 2009 Ajax 94 (8)
2004 - 2005 RKC Waalwijk (loan) 13 (2)
2009 - Arsenal 57 (11)

National team
2005 - 2007 Belgium U21 11 (1)
2008 - Belgium U23 5 (0)
2006 - Belgium 34 (1)

Honours

Club
Ajax
     Eredivisie: 2003-04
     KNVB Cup (2): 2005-06, 2006-07
     Johan Cruijff Shield (2): 2006 to 2007

Individual
     PFA Premier League Team of the Year (1): 2009-10

 

Jan Vertonghen

Profile Football Stars | Jan Vertonghen | Following the departure of Luis Suárez for Liverpool in January 2011, Vertonghen was appointed vice-captain of Ajax under Maarten Stekelenburg; Following Stekelenburg's transfer to U.S. Rome, Vertonghen was made captain. January Vertonghen is a Belgian footballer plays as a defender who and occasionally as a defensive midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax and the Belgian national team.

After spending time at VK Tielrode and Germinal Beerschot, Vertonghen moved to the Netherlands and signed a contract with the youth academy of Eredivisie side Ajax. He began as a midfielder but now he mostly plays at center back for Ajax. During his time in the reserves, he Became known for an incident in the 2006 KNVB Cup game against Cambuur Leeuwarden, his first ever home game at the Amsterdam ArenA, where he "scored" a bizarre goal to put Ajax 3-0 up.

On 23 August 2006, Vertonghen made his first team debut in the Champions League third qualifying round against Copenhagen. The 2008-09 season was a breakthrough season for the young defender. After Heitinga left for Atlético Madrid, Vertonghen Became Vermaelen's first choice partner in central defense. He started in 23 of the 26 games he played and scored 4 goals. Although sustaining an injury from training during the week, he played in the 24 January match against FC Groningen, billed as a "must-win" match by coach Marco van Basten, and was unfortunate enough to be sent off for two yellow cards as Ajax lost 1-0.

After the winter break, Ajax went on a 9-game unbeaten streak in the league with playing a key role Vertonghen. Vertonghen Stated on Numerous Occasions late in 2010-11 That he is considering leaving Ajax at the end of the season. Mancini was reportedly scouting Vertonghen to Strengthen his side for Their upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifying for the 2011-12 campaign. Vertonghen made his international debut at the U-21 level in 2006 and played in the 2007 UEFA U21 Championships.

Personal information
Full name in January Vertonghen
Date of birth 24 April 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 1/2 in)
Playing position Defender

Club information
Current club Ajax
Number 4

Youth career
1997 2000 VK Tielrode
2000 2003 Germinal Beerschot
2003 2006 Ajax

Senior career
YearsTeam
Ajax 2006 139 (18)
2006 2007 Waalwijk (loan) 12 (3)

National team
2006 2009 Belgium U-21 23 (0)
2007 Belgium 36 (2)

Honours

Club
Eredivisie (1): 2010-11
KNVB Cup (1): 2009-10

Individual
AFC Ajax Talent of the Year (1): 2007/08

Wesley Sneijder

Profile Football Stars | Wesley Sneijder | Due to his impeccable placement and confirmed ability to score from free kicks, Sneijder earned the reputation as a dead-ball specialist. Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale.  Previously represented Sneijder Various Youth squads for the Netherlands.

Sneijder started his career in AFC Ajax's famous youth academy. On 12 August 2007, Ajax Agreed to sell Sneijder to Real Madrid for € 27 million, According to the club's website, making him the second most expensive Dutch football player.

Sneijder was the second of three Dutchmen to sign for Real Madrid 2007-08 season, joining Royston Drenthe and Arjen Robben. In his first La Liga match for Real, he scored the winner in the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid. Sneijder capped a fine first season in Spain by hitting a stunning free kick in the last game of the season against Levante UD at the Bernabéu, taking his goal tally to nine in the La Liga season, a season the which also saw Real retain Their title.

On 3 October 2009 he scored his first, decisive goal, in the 92nd minute against Udinese in a 2-1 win, after a brilliant match. His second goal was scored on 24 October 2009 against Catania, directly from free kick, and he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Inter in a dramatic 2-1 win against Dynamo Kiev in the 89th minute. His next goal was also scored off a hard-swerving free kick in a Coppa Italia game against Livorno. On 28 October 2010, Sneijder signed a five year contract extension with Inter, tying him to the club until 2015. In the first leg, Sneijder and Inter were Uninspired and lost 1-0 to a late Mario Gomez goal at the San Siro. On 15 March 2011, Sneijder Inter helped turn it around scoring in the 63rd minute leading to a 3 - second win (3-3 on aggregate, Inter through on away goals were) at the Allianz Arena, booking a place in the quarter-final against FC Schalke 04.

Sneijder reached the UEFA Euro 2004 semi-finals with the Netherlands. Sneijder scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Japan. In the Netherlands' round of 16 match against Slovakia, Sneijder scored in a 2-1 victory . Sneijder was again named man of the match on FIFA's website. The Netherlands won the match 3-2 and progressed to the final. Sneijder was yet again named on FIFA's website as the Budweiser man of the match According to the online public vote. In the World Cup Final, the Dutch lost to Spain 1-0 after extra time, conceding the only goal of the match after 116 minutes.

Personal information
Full name Wesley Sneijder
Date of birth 9 June 1984 (age 27)
Place of birth Utrecht, Netherlands
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder

Club information
Current club Internazionale
Number 10

Youth career
Ajax 1991-2002

Senior career
years Team
Ajax 2002-2007 127 (48)
2007-2009 Real Madrid 52 (11)
2009 - Internazionale 64 (9)

National team
2000-2001 Netherlands U17 6 (2)
2001-2002 Netherlands U19 8 (1)
2003 Netherlands U21 1 (0)
2003 - Netherlands 81 (23)

Honours

Club
Ajax
     Eredivisie (1): 2003-04
     KNVB Cup (2): 2005-06, 2006-07
     Johan Cruijff Schaal, (3): 2002, 2005, 2006

Real Madrid
     La Liga (1): 2007-08
     Supercopa de España (1): 2008

Internazionale
     Serie A (1): 2009-10
     Coppa Italia (2): 2009-10, 2010-11
     Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2010
     UEFA Champions League (1): 2009-10
     FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2010

International
     2010 FIFA World Cup Silver medal

Individual
     Johan Cruijff Prijs (1): 2004
     Ajax Talent of the Year (1): 2004
     Ajax Player of the Year (1): 2007
     UEFA Euro 2008:
         Man of the Match (2): vs. Italy, vs. France,
         Team of the Tournament
         Best Goal of the Tournament: vs. France
     Best Free kick Taker Dutch (1): 2008
     2010 UEFA Champions League Final: Fans' Man of the Match
     2010 FIFA World Cup:
         Man of the Match (4): vs. Denmark (GM), vs Japan (GM), vs Brazil (QF), vs Uruguay (SF)
         FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
         FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
         FIFA World Cup Bronze Shoe
     Goal.com No. 1 (1): 2010
     UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (1): 2010
     FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2010
     UEFA Team of the Year (1): 2010

Rafael van der Vaart

Profile Football Stars | Rafael van der Vaart | Van der Vaart began his career at AFC Ajax 'famous youth academy and worked his way into the first team, debuting as a 17-year-old. Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer WHO plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. Van der Vaart is well known for his passing, deadly finishing and the capacity to use both feet well. Following his performances in the Premier League in the 2010-11 season with Tottenham Hotspur, van der Vaart was nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, along with team-mate and eventual winner, Gareth Bale.

Van der Vaart was born in Heemskerk to a Dutch father and a Spanish mother from Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz. Before joining AFC Ajax, he played for a local club called De Kennemers based in Beverwijk. Van der Vaart has said of his upbringing, "That was the way my family lived. Van der Vaart CAME through the ranks at Ajax with national teammates John Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder. At the age of 17, Van der Vaart made his debut for the senior side Ajax in a 1-1 draw with FC Den Bosch on 19 April 2000 in the 1999-00 season. Van der Vaart's € 5.5 million transfer to Hamburg, on 1 June 2005, raised many eyebrows. Van der Vaart finished his first season as the team's top scorer as Hamburg finished third in the league and won the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Towards the end of the 2007-08 season, Van der Vaart was linked to a move to Atlético Madrid Including Several clubs and Juventus. Van der Vaart was handed his original jersey number 23 while Granero was given number 24. After a wait of four games, Van der Vaart was finally included in Pellegrini's squad list to face Villarreal CF on 23 September. An injury to Kaká gave Van der Vaart a chance to Establish Himself as a key player for Los Blancos again. Van der Vaart Stated his desire to stay at Real Madrid, at least until the end of his contract.

On 31 August 2010, two hours before the transfer window closed, Tottenham Hotspur made an offer of £ 8 million for Van der Vaart. Van der Vaart scored his first two Premier League goals of the season against Wigan Athletic and Arsenal. Van der Vaart scored a penalty away against Newcastle United on 16 October to keep up a good run of goal scoring form and also scored twice in the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.  Rafael van der Vaart gained the notice of the youth team coaches and was called up for the youth squads. The 18-year-old Van der Vaart then made his senior international debut against Andorra on 6 October 2001.

Personal information
Full name Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart
Date of birth 11 February 1983 (age 29)
Place of birth Heemskerk, Netherlands
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder

Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 11

Youth career
Ajax 1993-2000

Senior career
years Team
Ajax 2000-2005 117 (52)
2005-2008 Hamburger SV 74 (29)
2008-2010 Real Madrid 58 (11)
2010 - Tottenham Hotspur 50 (20)

National team
1998-1999 Netherlands U17 13 (5)
1999-2000 Netherlands U19 8 (2)
2000-2001 Netherlands U21 4 (2)
2001 - The Netherlands 93 (17)

Honours

Club
AFC Ajax
     Eredivisie (2): 2001-02, 2003-04
     KNVB Cup (1): 2001-02
     Johan Cruijff-Schaal (1): 2002

Hamburger SV
     UEFA Intertoto Cup (2): 2005, 2007

Real Madrid CF
     Supercopa de España (1): 2008

Netherlands
     FIFA World Cup Runners-Up: 2010

Individual
     Ajax Talent of the Year: 1999, 2000, 2001
     Amsterdam Talent of the Year: 2000
     Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year: 2001
     Amsterdam Tournament Most Valuable Player: 2001
     Johan Cruijff Award: 2001
     European Talent of the Year: 2002
     Golden Boy Award: 2003
     Ballon d'Or: 2008 - nominated (top 30)
     Premier League Player of the Month (1): October 2010.