No more Winter for Ajax
Friday, January 10, 2003
Article summary
Aron Winter, a member of the Netherlands' 1988 UEFA European Championship-winning side, has retired.
Article body
Aron Winter, the final active player from the Netherlands' 1988 UEFA European Championship-winning side, has retired at the age of 35.
On the periphery
The midfield player spent last season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam and has again been on the periphery of the AFC Ajax first team this term, playing just 21 minutes of the Dutch club's eight UEFA Champions League matches. After Winter failed to reappear for training following the mid-season break it became clear the career of one of Dutch football's best-loved sons was over.
Debut goal
Born in Paramaribo, Surinam, in 1967, Winter made his debut on 19 April 1986 under Johan Cruyff, marking his first appearance in the famous red-and-white shirt with a goal against FC Utrecht. It was the start of a superb career with Ajax where he won the Dutch league and Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup during 241 matches.
Seven years in Italy
He left Amsterdam following the latter European triumph in 1992 for Italian club S.S. Lazio, where he spent four seasons prior to a move to Internazionale FC. In 1999 he returned to Ajax to provide the club with experience following the sale of almost all the side which had won the Champions League in 1995.
Honorary season
Winter's career at Ajax stalled under coach Co Adriaanse, the man who sent him to Sparta. When Ronald Koeman replaced Adriaanse, he recalled his former international team-mate as he felt Winter deserved an honorary season at the Amsterdam ArenA. Now, though, after 17 years as a professional, Winter's playing days are behind him and he is currently negotiating with the club about how best to fulfil the remaining six months of his contract.
Semi-final defeat
His retirement from club football comes two-and-half years after Winter stood down from the national team. Following a debut against Greece in 1987, Winter went on to make 84 appearances for the Netherlands, scoring six goals. His final match in the orange jersey was the dramatic UEFA EURO 2000™ semi-final defeat by Italy on penalties. Only Frank de Boer has played more times for his country than Winter; the FC Barcelona defender needs two more caps to become the first Dutch centurion.
