Alongside the creative Frenkie de Jong and the talented Tijjani Reijnders, there is a midfielder born in the Netherlands who is a true guarantee for Ronald Koeman. The experienced head coach of the Netherlands didn't hesitate when it came time to pick the 26 men for the 2026 World Cup, choosing Marten De Roon, who returns to the national team more than two years after his last appearance.
To understand why, you have to look beyond the numbers - or perhaps start right from them. With 445 appearances in the Atalanta shirt, De Roon is the player who has worn the black and blue more than anyone else in the club's history. No one has played more matches than him in Serie A, the Champions League, or European competitions for the Bergamo side.
He is the captain, the locker-room leader, and the most recognisable face of the Atalanta team that has, in recent years, firmly established itself among the elite of European football.
Identity and balance
When he arrived in Bergamo, he was just another foreigner. Today, he is one of the players who best represent the city's identity.
"It's not just about playing for a team: it's about representing a city, its fans, its mentality," he said, speaking about the bond he has built with Bergamo. A city that, like him, works hard, endures, and rarely seeks the spotlight.
Perhaps that's exactly why Koeman decided to bring him back to Oranje. After the injury that kept him out of Euro 2024, the 35-year-old had fallen off the national team's radar during the renewal process started by the coach. It seemed like his story was over. Instead, on the eve of the World Cup, his name reappeared among the most surprising - and also most meaningful - call-ups.
His contribution to the balance is potentially unique, thanks to the way he covers space and protects the defence. But that's not all, because the captain of the Dea brings order to his teammates and reads the moments of the match. It's no coincidence that in Gian Piero Gasperini's football, he has been an indispensable element for years. When it's time to slow the tempo, win back possession, or lead the pressing, he's always there.
Enthusiastic veteran
The Netherlands heading to the United States may not be among the absolute favourites, but they are considered one of the tournament's possible dark horses. Around leaders like Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong, Koeman has built a squad full of experience and talent. In this context, De Roon's presence is a kind of tactical insurance. Because he will be able to do what he has done throughout his career: make those playing alongside him better.
In a recent interview, he also made it clear that he will go to the United States with the spirit of a veteran but the lightness of a youngster, even though this is his second World Cup: "The next few weeks shouldn't turn into a school trip, but I will enjoy them consciously."
He also made it clear that he is excited about this adventure, no matter how it goes: "For me, it's simple. If I play from the first minute, that's fantastic. If I don't play a single minute but the team still delivers an outstanding performance, I'll enjoy it to the fullest. I want to experience this final tournament in the best and most enjoyable way possible."
