Many Tottenham fans have been left feeling emotional on social media after club hero Rafael van der Vaart issued a heartfelt Twitter post confirming his retirement from the game.
The Dutch maestro spent two seasons in north London where he quickly became a Lilywhites icon with his dazzling performances in the midfield and attack, and after a career which included spells at Ajax and Real Madrid he has decided it is time to hang up his boots.
Taking to his personal Twitter account, van der Vaart posted a video of some of his goals and a heartfelt statement reading: “If there is one moment to use My Way, this is it. It wasn’t an easy decision to say goodbye to the game I love the most. But words can’t express how grateful I am for those 18 wonderful years of professional football. Thank you all!”
If there is one moment to use My Way, this is it. It wasn’t an easy decision to say goodbye to the game I love the most. But words can’t express how grateful I am for those 18 wonderful years of professional football. Thank you all! ?? pic.twitter.com/SDpmb5oSUV
— Rafael van der Vaart (@rafvdvaart) November 5, 2018
A whole host of Tottenham fans responded on Twitter to thank the Dutchman for his time at White Hart Lane, with many expressing a sadness having not seen him play for longer and others a delight having seen him play for the club at all.
COMMENTARY
The Tottenham career of van der Vaart might have been short but it was oh so sweet, and it goes to show that it can be the quality of performances, rather than the quantity, which makes a player a club legend. The Dutch maestro will go down as one of the greats of the modern Spurs era – prior to Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival of course – and the fact the supporters are still gushing over his displays in the white shirt of Spurs goes to show the sort of impact he had. There will be thousands, if not millions, of fans worldwide who have a memory or two of van der Vaart for one of his clubs, or maybe even on the national stage, but for Tottenham fans it will always be one of his four goals against Arsenal in an era where the Gunners’ dominance in north London was still prominent. The Dutchman was a front runner in changing that and the Spurs faithful will be grateful for what he did for the club.
This is Futbol has gathered some of the supporters’ tweets:
https://twitter.com/Alexrenton/status/1059493290519814144
Though your time @SpursOfficial was short you left a huge impression on us all. Thank you for the happy memories Rafa
— Ross Kester (@Rosskester) November 5, 2018
Wishing you all the best in retirement, Rafa. Would love to see you back at Spurs as a coach some day. Thank you for all the brilliant memories legend. ? #COYS pic.twitter.com/Cce9XzObOh
— Lilywhite Spurs (@Lilywhite_Spurs) November 5, 2018
@SpursOfficial legend , thank you for a truly wonderful 2 seasons
— Fat Dele Alli (@ironbard) November 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/cunderwood97/status/1059499875732197377
All the best Rafa, Thanks for those magical 2 seasons with us #legend #Yido
— Tom Barnes (@Barney1011) November 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/RunDavinsonRun/status/1059494597011881985
Thanks for entertaining us Rafa. ?Tottenham legend! #THFC
— Matthew Roberts (@Berts22) November 5, 2018
Loved having u at our club, mate!??????????????????????????#COYS
— AphexTriplets ?????? (@AphexTriplets) November 5, 2018
Thanks for the incredible memories Rafa. We loved seeing you in a our shirt and you will always have a place in every Spurs fan’s heart.
— Sam (@Heisenberg42) November 5, 2018