Kelly Zeeman is only 28 years old, but has retired from football. The former Ajax, Telstar, Heerenveen and Leeuwinnen defender decided to end it after last season.

The reason: already had a lot of success, changing frequently and always nagging injuries. 2 weeks after he officially said goodbye, fate struck again. He tore his ligaments. “Am I going to be in the Ajax weight room again in the coming months? I looked around and thought: ‘What am I still doing here?'”

Through: Eimert Pruss

‘Tears in Our Eyes’
Zeeman experienced the opening game of the Orange Lionesses at the European Championships in England. He himself became European champion in his own country in 2017 with the Dutch national team 1-1 against Sweden the Volendam woman is talkative Sportnieuws.nl. About how his thoughts returned to that great year. “We had just won the double with Ajax and were on the bus on the way to De Galgenwaard for our first group game. We then saw that big Orange March. We had not experienced it. That there were so many people. It was very special. Tears welled up in our eyes .”

‘I was even respected in Volendam’
He described his strange year: “I became champion with Ajax for the first time and we also won a cup. Then all summer the European Championship. What happened there! An honour. I was even honored in Volendam. And then we were crowned champions too. voted team sport of the year by NOC*NSF. Incredible. Normally you never come to an event like that.”

Zeeman (far right) celebrates the European title

The first player to be rented to another Eredivisie club
“Those are very fond memories,” continued Zeeman, who of course also went through a lot in the aftermath. A year after he went all-in to win that year, he tore his ligaments for the first time. Partly because of all those injuries, he has also played less and less and in January 2021 became the first Dutch player to leave for another Eredivisie club on lease, to sc Heerenveen.

‘It’s delicious like this’
“At Heerenveen I really found joy in football again. I just had to give up so much for it and it didn’t get any better for me. Then you think: ‘Good’.”

Still hurt after saying goodbye
So Zeeman ended his football career at Ajax last May. “I want to feel like a ‘normal person’ again. Not thinking about my fitness on holiday and not always coming back after injuries.” But the unthinkable happened even before he had completely put away his football boots. During a quiet workout he tore his knee ligaments and part of his meniscus again.

Zeeman tore his ligaments during and right after his career

‘I’m a normal person now’
“Not anymore! It’s also much worse now, because I’m a normal person now. I’m looking forward to a new challenge, but now I have to get back to work and recover,” said Zeeman, who luckily is with his “old club”. ‘ Ajax can continue to recover. “I was sitting there in the gym. I have to work on my knee again for the surgery later. I looked around and nothing seemed to change. ‘What am I doing here’, I thought. I really think this is so sorry it’s over like this.”

‘I want to exercise again soon’
It wasn’t planned at all, of course. It is good for Zeeman that his recovery is going much better than when he became a football star. “I’m not stressed about getting back in now. I’ve been off stick for 2 weeks now and it feels good now. I had to have surgery because I want to be able to enjoy sports and run again like normal people.”

Zeeman was very pleased with the cup

Faster recovery without stress
Surprisingly, rehabilitation is going very well now? “I think I know why that is. If you feel good mentally the recovery will also be quicker. I don’t have any pressure now. I can do all the fun things I want to do. You’re not alone with injuries busy. And suddenly – arrived recovery went quicker. I had a lot of fluid in my knee, which is draining very fast now.”

Help other Ajax players?
He was well enough to enjoy a well-deserved holiday in Zakynthos. Once he returns to Holland he will continue his recovery and he will also remain with Ajax. “Maybe I’ll talk to other players who are in the same boat as me. To help them. Good for them, but not with. I’m not going to interfere with the first women’s team. I’ll stay with Ajax. We just don’t know exactly yet in what form. I also really enjoy being an analyst.”

Working at Ajax and football analyst?
So Zeeman analyzed for Sportnieuws.nl already the first 3 group matches of the Orange Lionesses at the European Championships. He has also appeared on television several times as a football analyst. “I will see what I will do when I come back. First enjoy the holiday. It is finally possible.”

‘Now I can finally enjoy my holidays’

Eimert Pruis works under the Spanish sun for Sportnieuws.nl. The reporter (video) mainly focuses on sports in Spain, Spanish and Italian football, and the Olympics. In addition, he is an insider from Spain, Brazil, Orange and Feyenoord.

Do you have any tips? Mail to eimert.pruis@sportnieuws.nl