I cherish difficult times... there is always something positive, in life and in football

KLUIVERT EYES EURO 24 AFTER BATTLING INCREDIBLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS

EXCLUSIVE BY

JUSTIN KLUIVERT has an obvious inspiration to play for his country at Euro 2024 – given his father Patrick famously starred for Holland on the biggest stage.

But his eyes light up when he thinks about a film he would often watch as the Bournemouth attacker speaks about hoping to find a way into Ronald Koeman’s squad this summer.

‘In Oranje’ is the story of a Dutch boy who overcomes personal tragedy to make it all the way to the top of the game.

“It was so beautiful,” Kluivert said. “Step by step, he’s achieving his dream. “There are some struggles that he’s going through. “The ups and downs that come into the football also. Looking at it when you’re young, you think, ‘I want to be that guy’.

“I see a bit of myself in that now. All those difficult moments I’ve been through, I cherish them. Everything goes bad, not only in football but life too, there is always something positive too.”

Now Kluivert is looking to continue his own story.

Being the son of the Dutch footballing legend who played for Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona, Newcastle and more, football was always going to be Kluivert Jnr’s life.

“With dad like that, you want to become a football player,” he said.

“Then in Holland, football is massive so you love playing football. I have played since I was so young, I can’t even remember.

“I’m lucky to say I made it because a lot of guys don’t make it.”

Kluivert has made it, but it hasn’t always been easy. He broke out as a teenager at Ajax, the same club his father began with. In 2018, he made the bold move to Roma. But it didn’t work out. Not long after he joined, the manager Eusebio Di Francesco left and sporting director Monchi departed not long after.

It led to loan spells at RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia and a nomad existence that he struggled with.

It also saw him fall out of favour with his national side after making his debut at 18. “They were difficult years,” he said. “You come from Holland, you are the biggest talent from Holland and everyone loves and admires you, and then I choose to make a big step and I choose to go to the big leagues of world football. There are a lot of things that come with it. I learn from these things and I like challenges. I took it as a challenge and I’m happy where I’m at now.

“All those things are in my backpack, all those years I’m thankful of and I can’t wait to take all these things out when needed.”

Kluivert feels like he’s found his home. Last summer, Bournemouth paid almost £10million to bring him to the Premier League to work with new boss Andoni Iraola.

The Cherries – who face Brentford today – have secured their record points tally in the Premier League already. And on a personal level, he’s become the first player to score in six major European leagues and also surpassed his dad’s tally of six Premier League goals from his stint at Newcastle in 2004-05.

“He’s happy for me,” Kluivert said with a laugh. “I never fell out of love with the game. I was always happy, positive. Everyone asks me how am I always positive? I think we can push further up the table and towards European spots.”

But first he’s hoping to write his own Dutch fairytale story that may be as inspiring as the one in the film he watched as a child.

“Imagine scoring a few goals for your country in a tournament? It would be beautiful, so let’s hope.”