Great is a  over-used word in Society today, especially in Football. Average players are quickly labelled great even though they haven’t achieved anything of merit. according to William Shakespeare ”Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them” it is my belief and opinion that Suriname’s Favourite son has achieved greatness and in years to come we will still be talking about his exploits the same way Pele and Diego Maradona’s exploits are talked about.

According to Adriano Galliani ” When Milan played well, which happened often, each and every time it occurred Seedorf played an amazing match. He is a world class player”.  That statement by the AC Milan CEO says it all, born 1st of April 1976 in Suriname, Clarence Clyde Seedorf progressed through the famed Ajax football Academy and at sixteen years old  made his first professional start playing as a right-sided midfielder against Groningen. Additionally he was a influential figure in the Ajax team that won the Eredivisie title in 1993 and both the Champions League and the Eredivisie in 1995.  Due to his excellent performances the worlds biggest clubs soon began to take notice and in 1996 Seedorf moved to Real Madrid.  During his three seasons there, Seedorf helped the team win the Primera Liga Title and UEFA Champions League However ask most Real Madrid fans what their favourite memory of Clarence Seedorf was and they will tell you that it was his infamous 45-yard strike in the clasico against Atletico Madrid that will best register in their memory

That goal coupled with his performances for Real Madrid brought him to the attention of Internazionale de Milano otherwise known as Inter Milan who signed him in the 1999/2000 season.  After two largely dissapointing seasons with Inter Milan Seedorf moved to AC Milan in 2002 and that is where the legend was born. During his ten-year stint with the Rossineri, Seedorf won the  Serie A title 2003/04, 2010/11,  Coppa Italia 2003, Supercoppa Italiana 2004, 2011, UEFA Champions League 2003, 2007, UEFA Super Cup 2003, 2007, Fifa Club World Cup 2007, now after reading that do you think the word ‘Great’ does Suriname’s Favourite Son justice?

Furthuremore Seedorf is the  foreigner with the most appearances for Ac Milan, and on May 13 annouced his departure from the Rossoneri stating that ” I am leaving after 10 wonderful years…I leave a family” .  On June 30th 2012, Clarence Seedorf signed a two-year contract with  Botafogo who play in the 1st Division of Brazilian football.

Having won the UEFA Champions League Four times, Isn’st moving to the Brazilian league  not a great  way to end a illustrious and wonderful playing career? although the Brazilian League is certainly a step down from Serie A, it is by no means  a walk in the park just ask Ronaldinho. Additionally Brazilian football is experiencing a boom at the moment, with the Economy in a strong position this has enabled clubs to attract players such as, Diego Forlan, Luis Fabiano, and Deco amongst others. Because of this the normal exodus of  young Brazilian talent moving abroad to ply their trade hasn’t happened so far certainly in the cases of Neymar, Lucas Moura and Ganso.

Its not just on the pitch where Seedorf has excelled, his off the pitch work is impressive Seedorf founded the not-for-profit organisation Champions for Children Foundation in 2005, he  is also one of the Nelson Mandela legacy champions in recogniton of his charity work, Seedorf is also the founder and owner of On International a sports Management Firm.   Blessed with fantastic technique, the ability to use both feet, vision, distribution skillls second (in my opinion) only to Andrea Pirlo, tactically astute, strength and on top of that a throughly top – class professional who is highly respected by fans and peers alike.   Seedorf is truly a modern day great, he is the sort of role model that young people of all ages throughout all sports should look up to, he has excelled both on and off the pitch and the best thing of all  he does everything with a smile which is how things should be he carries himself with respect whether its as a pundit on the BBC or playing on the pitch.

I just have one thing to say Grazie Clarence Seedorf.