Rafael van der Vaart (born February 11, 1983 in Heemskerk) is a football player of Hamburger SV and the Dutch national team.
He is considered by some to be the star of Dutch football. His technical abilities and excellent vision are especially noted by his fans, and he has been compared to Ajax legends Dennis Bergkamp and Johan Cruyff. His previous clubs were Ajax Amsterdam and De Kennemers. Van der Vaart played for the Netherlands in Euro 2004. Van Der Vaart married his wife, Sylvie Meis, on June 10, 2005. They are expecting their first child in summer 2006.
There is some debate as to where his best position is. His versatility gives him the luxury of being an option to play as striker, central midfielder or on the left side of midfield. His multi-functional abilities give him a huge advantage over lesser talented players. The common consensus is that he produces his best football as a left-sided midfield player.
Van der Vaart's left foot shot is powerful and accurate. The combination of his presence of mind, reflexes, innovation, athleticism, and trickery have led to a few amazing goals. One particular goal worth mentioning is one for Ajax where he throws himself forward and nets the ball from a cross that comes behind him and makes contact with his heel and the ball proceeds to over his head and into the goal.
