Rafael van der Vaart has publicly reversed his long-standing criticism of Hans Vanaken, admitting he misjudged the Club Brugge captain's abilities. The Ziggo Sport analyst made his dramatic U-turn ahead of Tuesday's Champions League fixture between Brugge and Aston Villa, confessing that years of skepticism were unfounded.
Several years ago during an international between the Netherlands and Belgium, Van der Vaart launched a scathing attack on the Belgian midfielder. "I keep hearing Vanaken, Vanaken, Vanaken everywhere... Well, he really can't play at all. A complete donkey," the former midfielder said dismissively. His initial impression was shaped by what he perceived as a lack of fluidity in Vanaken's movement. "You can see that he looks a bit wooden. At first, that put me off him a little," Van der Vaart recalled.
From Critic to Admirer
Van der Vaart's evolution on Vanaken mirrors a broader recognition of the midfielder's true qualities. Observing him consistently at the highest level has shown the analyst a different player entirely. "Every match he plays with so much control and footballing intelligence. And he also has good vision. I have become a huge fan of him," Van der Vaart enthused, proving willing to acknowledge his previous misjudgment.
The numbers validate this reassessment. Since joining Club Brugge in 2015, Vanaken has made 571 appearances, accumulating 152 goals and 115 assists for the Belgian club. Beyond his domestic impact, the attacking midfielder captains his side and has earned 40 caps for the Belgium national team. At the 2022 World Cup, he scored in Belgium's 4-1 last-16 victory against the United States, demonstrating composure on football's grandest stage.
As Club Brugge prepares for another continental campaign, Vanaken remains the linchpin of their European ambitions, proving that sustained excellence and intelligent play transcend first impressions.
