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Super Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf had one of his worst games for Milan against Boca Juniors in the World Club Cup, culminating in his missed penalty in the shoot-out. He knows it and openly admits it, but he’s not going to dramatise it. "I gave everything until the very end. I was exhausted but still took the spot-kick knowing that I am not a specialist penalty taker. But when you play at a certain level you have to accept certain responsibilities."
That statement was picked up on, isolated by the Press and taken as a criticism of those teammates who failed to take a penalty. However, Seedorf is very much a team player and only highlights certain issues if he feels it will benefit the squad.
After that match the Dutch international was largely criticised for his performance, to which he responds: "I don’t read the papers and rarely watch the television. What is important is what my colleagues and Coach think of me. I try to distance myself from all the rest." That is why Seedorf never seems to get angry. He enjoys life and has a very relaxed attitude, which stems from his birthplace in Suriname where he returns every summer. He loves to sleep on the beach under the palm trees, perhaps more than he loves to play football.
His relaxed attitude plays a large part in him being able to get over such a disappointment as the World Club Cup Final. He knows that penalties can go either way. Back in May he won the Champions’ League, Milan’s sixth, despite missing his penalty. This time he lost out on the chance for more silverware, again missing his spot-kick but he knows there will be other opportunities.
Seedorf has enjoyed more success than most in his career. He became the first man in history to win three European Cups with three separate clubs, although he does claim that he has won two with Real Madrid having featured in their 1999-00 European campaign before moving to Inter in January. But despite all this glory his appetite for honours and records is insatiable. That is the reason why he continues to play, searching for new challenges. Aged 27, he is reaching the full maturity of his football career and he wants another Champions’ League medal to add to his collection.
In Tokyo Milan weren’t as concentrated as usual.
Perhaps we weren’t as concentrated as at Old Trafford last May but that was to be expected as Manchester was the culmination of a competition we had worked hard to win, playing 16 games in total. The World Club Cup is more a reward that you only get if you become the best club in Europe.
You have won the Champions’ Cup with three different teams now. Would you say you have been lucky to pick three great clubs?
Yes I have been lucky, I admit it, but luck is only part of it. You definitely need a slice of luck to win the Champions’ League but there are other elements to consider. You need to be technically adept, to make the right decisions at the right times and most importantly you need the right mentality. It wasn’t easy for me to leave Ajax aged 19, just as it wasn’t easy for me to leave Madrid and then Inter for Milan.
Which was the more traumatic, your move from Ajax to Sampdoria or from the Genoa club to Real Madrid?
They were two different situations in two different countries. There are always difficulties in every transfer, although I am the sort of person who doesn’t suffer much and makes friends quite easily. At Inter all my teammates used to come to talk to me about their problems. Now at Milan we have such a nice group that I enjoy talking to everyone and listening to what they have to say.
Do you think that is one of the reasons why the products of Ajax are able to fit in so quickly at other teams across Europe?
I think it’s a question of mentality. In Holland they have a different way of thinking. If I, as a young man, am bought by a big club or wear a first team shirt, it means I am worthy of it. Therefore you can be proud and have nothing to fear.
Regarding mentality, it has been said that Fabio Capello planted the winning mentality into the current Real Madrid side.
That was an amazing year under Capello. Five or six of us arrived at the club that season along with the Coach. The likes of Roberto Carlos, Predrag Mijatovic, Davor Suker and myself created a really special atmosphere. You could tell something positive was happening and that helped us beat Ronaldo’s Barcelona.
Do you think Ronaldo will return to Inter?
We are great friends, although if you believe what the papers have been saying recently you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. One day he may return.
It was always said that you and Fernando Hierro constantly argued at Real Madrid…
I always try to talk rather than fight. If I don’t then it means that someone has over stepped the mark. But I have great respect for Hierro.
You don’t score that often but when you do they are always spectacular goals. You scored a 50-yard screamer against Atletico in the Madrid derby, then two stunning strikes for Inter against Juve and let’s not forget last season’s brace against Torino.
Every goal has been special for me so I can’t put them in any sort of order. But that strike against Atletico was particularly important as my daughter had just been born.
Would you like to be part of the current Real Madrid set-up given their array of stars?
Given that I chose to leave Real and am now playing for the champions of Europe, I would have to say no.
You have played in Holland, Italy and Spain. Would you like to play in England? Perhaps with Chelsea?
Chelsea President Roman Abramovich has been criticised for buying too many champions rather than building up a team but everyone is free to spend as much as they want on whom they want. There isn’t one correct way to do these things. But I don’t see why I should leave Milan, when I enjoy living here so much.
What do you think about the Euro 2004 groups?
I think it’s too early to make any predictions at the moment. I would say that Italy should not consider themselves a dead cert for the second round, that would be suicide. As far as Holland are concerned I think we are happy with the draw.
Did you have an idol when you were younger?
Frank Rijkaard - for the tranquillity he used to transmit to his teammates on the pitch. The fact that we played and won trophies together as well makes me all the more content for having him as my idol.
You are very calm as well. Is that down to where you were brought up in Suriname?
I love to go back there. It has such a calming influence, even though I only get to go back for a week in the summer. There is so much sun and greenery. And then there is my family and my grandfather who is 94-years-old.
A few years ago you had a football pitch built there. Have you got any other plans?
Yes, I am hoping to start up a college shortly. My father is already over there putting the wheels in motion.
You are still very young but you have already had such a successful career, do you have any other dreams left to fulfil?
To keep winning. Each year I set myself certain objectives. I want to win something every season and if I end the term empty-handed then I am naturally disappointed. But after 12 years as a professional I can say that I am more than happy with what I have won. I have been fortunate to experience many memorable moments and I still want more.
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