In the quiet suburbs of Rotterdam, Joshua Zirkzee’s footballing journey took a nostalgic turn as he found himself back at his very first club, VV Hekelingen.
This time, it wasn’t just for fun, but to keep fit while his £36.5 million transfer to Manchester United was being finalized.
Driving up in a sleek black Porsche with two friends and a bag of footballs, Zirkzee tried to make use of the club’s grass pitch but faced a small hiccup.
A Humble Start with a Big Entrance
Hans van Bodegom, the club’s groundsman, recalls the moment vividly.
“He showed up in this flashy car, making a lot of noise,” he chuckled.
Concerned for the kids nearby, Van Bodegom asked Zirkzee to slow down.
Then, when Zirkzee and his friends wanted to train on the main pitch, Van Bodegom redirected them to the astroturf.
“That’s for you!” he had said.
Though it took a while for Van Bodegom to realize who the tall, curly-haired player was, the recognition came later, especially after a local police officer mentioned that Zirkzee received a speeding ticket that same evening.
Unrecognizable Yet Familiar
Zirkzee’s low profile in his hometown is a bit of a puzzle.
Despite his distinct look and footballing fame, he often went unnoticed. Kadir, an Uber driver, shared a similar experience.
Five years ago, he played a casual game of three-on-three in the streets of Snoekenveen.
Weeks later, one of his opponents, now known as Zirkzee, was on his TV, playing in the Champions League for Bayern Munich.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him. My brothers confirmed it was him, though.”
A Peculiar Path to the Top
Unlike most Dutch football stars who rise through powerhouses like Feyenoord, Ajax, or PSV Eindhoven, Zirkzee took a different path.
After brief stints at clubs like Parma, Anderlecht, and Bologna, he eventually made his way to Old Trafford.
Despite his successes abroad, Zirkzee has never played in the Eredivisie, and it wasn’t until recently that he made his debut for the Dutch national team.
This summer, after a memorable performance at the Euros, Zirkzee signed with Manchester United.
The 23-year-old now resides in Manchester, although he’s still searching for a more permanent home for himself and his beloved dog, Kobe.
Staying Grounded with Kobe
Kobe, named after Zirkzee’s favorite athlete, Kobe Bryant, has become something of a social media star.
Daniel van der Meulen, one of Zirkzee’s youth coaches, noted the similarities between Zirkzee and Bryant.
“Joshua is like Kobe—focused, hardworking, and intelligent.”
Zirkzee himself believes that Kobe keeps him grounded.
In a video from his time at Bologna, he shared how daily walks with Kobe and a calm mindset help him navigate the pressures of professional football.
His motto? “Let stuff go. Don’t let yesterday ruin today.”
Finding His Place at United
Since joining United, Zirkzee has formed close ties with fellow Dutchmen Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
His debut was nothing short of a dream—coming off the bench against Fulham and scoring an 87th-minute winner in front of the Stretford End.
His former youth coach, Ricardo Willemse, couldn’t help but smile.
“Back in the day, he’d barely celebrate his goals.
Now, he’s embracing it.”
Zirkzee’s second goal for United, however, came in more unfortunate circumstances.
During a match against Brighton, he accidentally nudged a teammate’s effort over the line, only for it to be ruled offside.
Despite the hiccup, with key players sidelined, Zirkzee may soon get his chance to shine in a full match.
A Unique Style and Skill Set
Zirkzee doesn’t see himself as a traditional center-forward. Instead, he considers himself a “nine-and-a-half”—someone who thrives in the spaces between and around the main attacking areas.
His technical abilities and flair for the dramatic often catch opponents off guard, reminiscent of his childhood idols Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Comparisons to past United strikers like Edinson Cavani and Dimitar Berbatov are inevitable.
But for some, like Willemse, Zirkzee’s attitude and style evoke memories of the legendary Eric Cantona.
Though Zirkzee remains grounded, it’s clear he’s cut from the same cloth as these greats.
A Long Road to Success
From his early days playing in the streets of Snoekenveen to making his mark at Bayern Munich, Zirkzee’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
His talent was evident from a young age, scoring 55 out of his team’s 60 goals in one season.
But his rise hasn’t always been smooth, with stints on the bench and tough love from coaches like Vincent Kompany.
Yet, every challenge has only made him stronger.
Looking Ahead
As Zirkzee prepares for his next big test at Old Trafford against Liverpool, the young striker is poised to take center stage.
With a mix of Dutch flair and hard-earned experience, he’s ready to make his mark on English football.
And with mentors like Ruud van Nistelrooy potentially guiding him, the future looks bright for Zirkzee and Manchester United alike.
TDPel Media
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