According to reports from Voetbal International, the KNVB will be paying tribute to a number of retired former Dutch internationals on Saturday evening before the Nations League match between the Dutch national team and Hungary. Ryan Babel, Kevin Strootman, Jeremain Lens, Eljero Elia and seven other veterans will be honoured in the spotlight.
In addition to Babel (69 caps), Strootman (46 caps), Lens (34 caps) and Elia (30 caps); Davy Propper (19 caps), Edson Braafheid (10 caps), Ricardo van Rhijn (eight), Siem de Jong (six caps), Ruud Vormer (four caps), Wout Brama (three caps) and Royston Drenthe (one cap) will also be saying goodbye. This means that we will see a total of 230 international matches parade across the Amsterdam turf on Saturday.
The most recent former internationals to retire are Strootman and Babel. Strootman announced on October 18 that he had had enough at the age of 34. Babel announced his retirement from football on the 9th of November. The attacker lasted three years longer than Strootman.
With Elia and Braafheid, the KNVB honours two World Cup finalists. The duo came on as substitutes for Oranje during the match which ultimately ended in heartbreak against Spain in South Africa in 2010.
