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Kevin Strootman
Kevin Strootman
Kevin Strootman
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Kevin Johannes Willem Strootman (born 13 February 1990) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.[2]

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Sparta Rotterdam

[edit]

Born in Ridderkerk, Strootman began his career with Sparta Rotterdam, making his professional debut during the 2007–08 season.[4] He signed a contract extension with the club in November 2008.[5] After they were relegated at the end of the 2009–10 Eredivisie season, he played with Sparta in the Eerste Divisie.

Utrecht

[edit]

In the January transfer window of 2011, Strootman was signed by Utrecht.[6] He played with Utrecht in the second half of the 2010–11 season,[4] before moving to PSV Eindhoven in June 2011.[7]

PSV Eindhoven

[edit]
Strootman with PSV Eindhoven in 2011

Strootman was joined at PSV Eindhoven with fellow Utrecht recruit Dries Mertens.[8][9] Strootman made his PSV debut in a 3–1 home win against AZ. He made 88 total appearances for the Eindhoven club.

Roma

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On 16 July 2013, PSV and Roma finalized a deal for Strootman's transfer to the Italian side, in a deal worth €17 million, with the fee potentially rising to €19 million through add-ons.[10] He was given the number 6 shirt.[11]

In a pre-season friendly against the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Stars, Strootman scored one goal and assisted another as Roma prevailed 3–1 at Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas.[12] He scored his first competitive goal for Roma in 3–1 Serie A victory over Parma. He went on to score in matches against Torino, Atalanta, Milan and Livorno.

On 9 March 2014, Strootman sustained a knee injury in Roma's 1–0 defeat to Napoli which made him miss the remainder of the 2013–14 season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup,[13] where the Dutch selection finished third.

On 9 November, Strootman made his first appearance for Roma in exactly eight months, appearing as an 84th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat of Torino at the Stadio Olimpico.[14] His first start of the 2014–15 season came in a 2–2 draw with Sassuolo on 7 December.[15] He assisted the first of captain Francesco Totti's two goals after appearing as a substitute in Roma's 2–2 draw with Lazio in the 175th Derby della Capitale on 12 January 2015.[16]

On 26 January 2015, Strootman was substituted in a Serie A fixture against Fiorentina after sustaining further damage to his anterior cruciate ligament. Three days later, it was confirmed that the player would again undergo knee surgery.[17] On 26 August, it was reported that, in spite of failing to make a single appearance in seven months, Strootman's injury required further surgery which sidelined the player for the majority of the 2015–16 Serie A season.[18] He made his first appearance of the season on 21 February 2016, as a substitute in a 5–0 home defeat of Palermo.[19] On 2 May, he made his first start in over 15 months, playing the full 90 minutes in Roma's 3–2 win at Genoa.[20] He ended the season with five appearances, including two starts. His only assist of the season came in a 3–1 final day victory over Milan at the San Siro.[21]

On 20 August 2016, Strootman captained Roma in the opening match of the 2016–17 Serie A season, a 4–0 home win against Udinese.[22] In the team's second fixture, he scored his first goal since January 2014 as Roma drew 2–2 at Cagliari.[23]

On 29 May 2017, Strootman signed a new five-year contract with the 2017 Serie A runners-up.[24]

Marseille

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On 28 August 2018, Marseille agreed with Roma on a €25 million (plus €3 million of bonus) transfer fee and signed Strootman on a five-year contract.[25] Roma published a thank you and confirmation of the transfer on their website.[26] Strootman mentioned the club's history, ambitions as well as his close relationship with coach Rudi Garcia as motivating factors to join the club.

On 10 January 2020, Strootman scored an 84th minute winner for Marseille after coming on as a substitute against Rennes.

Loan to Genoa

[edit]

On 12 January 2021 Strootman was loaned to Serie A club Genoa until the end of the season.[27]

Loan to Cagliari

[edit]

On 3 July 2021, Strootman was announced by Serie A club Cagliari, on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season, with an option to renew for the 2022–23 season included.[28]

Return to Genoa

[edit]

On 24 August 2022, Strootman returned to Genoa on a new loan.[29]

On 6 July 2023, following their promotion to Serie A, Strootman signed for Genoa permanently on a free transfer.[30]

Retirement

[edit]

On 18 October 2024, Strootman announced his retirement from football.[31]

International career

[edit]

Strootman made his senior international debut for the Netherlands against Austria in 2011[32] and scored his first international goal against Finland in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier. He was a member of the Netherlands' squad at Euro 2012 but did not appear in any matches as the Dutch were knocked out at the group stage.

He appeared for the Netherlands U21 team at the 2013 UEFA Euro U21 Championship where the team reached the semi-finals, losing to Italy.

Strootman was a regular in Louis van Gaal's side during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign,[33] but missed the tournament finals due to injury.[34]

On 27 May 2016, Strootman made his first international appearance in two years after missing both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the entirety of the team's unsuccessful UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.[35] He was selected to start in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland, playing 70 minutes before being substituted for Marco van Ginkel.[36]

Style of play

[edit]

Strootman was said to be a dynamic and tough-tackling midfielder, who also possessed good vision, technique, and balance on the ball.[6][37] A tall, physically strong and tactically intelligent left-footed player, he was described as a "modern" midfielder, due to his wide range of skills. He was best used as a central or defensive midfielder, often serving as either a box-to-box midfielder or mezzala – due to his work-rate, ball-winning abilities, and ability to help out in both attack and defence – or as a deep-lying playmaker, due to his range of passing, awareness, and ability to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates after winning back possession.[37][38][39][40][41][42] He was also capable of contributing to his team's offensive play with goals, courtesy of his powerful and accurate striking ability from outside the area, as well as his ability to get on the end of his teammates' passes by making late attacking runs into the box from behind.[37][43] Strootman had been compared to compatriot Mark van Bommel.[39] During his first season with Roma (2013–14), he earned the nickname la lavatrice ("the washing machine", in Italian), for his ability to always clean up play by winning back the ball and then distributing it precisely to his teammates.[44][45]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[2][46]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sparta Rotterdam 2007–08 Eredivisie 3 0 0 0 — — — 3 0
2008–09 Eredivisie 25 2 3 1 — — — 28 3
2009–10 Eredivisie 28 2 4 2 — — 4[c] 0 36 4
2010–11 Eerste Divisie 16 4 1 0 — — — 17 4
Total 72 8 8 3 — — 4 0 84 11
Utrecht 2010–11 Eredivisie 14 2 2 0 — — — 16 2
PSV Eindhoven 2011–12 Eredivisie 30 2 5 1 — 11[d] 3 — 46 6
2012–13 Eredivisie 32 6 5 1 — 4[d] 1 1[e] 0 42 8
Total 62 8 10 2 — 15 4 1 0 88 14
Roma 2013–14 Serie A 25 5 4 1 — — — 29 6
2014–15 Serie A 6 0 0 0 — 1[f] 0 0 0 7 0
2015–16 Serie A 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 5 0
2016–17 Serie A 33 4 3 0 — 9[g] 2 0 0 45 6
2017–18 Serie A 32 1 1 0 — 11[f] 0 0 0 44 1
2018–19 Serie A 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 102 10 8 1 — 21 2 0 0 131 13
Marseille 2018–19 Ligue 1 28 1 1 0 0 0 5[d] 0 — 34 1
2019–20 Ligue 1 25 2 4 0 1 0 — — 30 2
2020–21 Ligue 1 11 0 0 0 — 3[f] 0 — 14 0
Total 64 3 5 0 1 0 8 0 — 78 3
Genoa (loan) 2020–21 Serie A 18 0 0 0 — — — 18 0
Cagliari (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 10 0 1 0 — — — 11 0
Genoa (loan) 2022–23 Serie B 30 2 1 0 — — — 31 2
Genoa 2023–24 Serie A 27 0 2 0 — — — 29 0
Career total 399 33 37 6 1 0 44 6 5 0 486 45
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, Coppa Italia, Coupe de France
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ Appearances in Eredivisie relegation play-offs
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  6. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[2][46]
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands 2011 10 1
2012 5 0
2013 9 2
2014 1 0
2015 0 0
2016 7 0
2017 7 0
2018 4 0
2019 3 0
Total 46 3
Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each Strootman goal.[47]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 September 2011 Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland 6  Finland 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
2 14 August 2013 Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal 19  Portugal 1–0 1–1 Friendly
3 11 October 2013 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands 22  Hungary 2–0 8–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

[edit]

PSV[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kevin Strootman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin Strootman (born Kevin Johannes Willem Strootman on 13 February 1990) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played primarily as a central or defensive . Standing at 1.86 meters tall and left-footed, he began his career in the before achieving prominence in and , earning 46 caps and scoring three goals for the national team across friendlies, qualifiers, and the . His career was marked by tactical intelligence, physicality, and leadership, though severely impacted by multiple knee injuries, culminating in his retirement at age 34 on 18 October 2024 while with club . Strootman started his professional journey with in the Dutch , making 84 appearances and scoring 11 goals between 2008 and 2011, where he honed his skills as a versatile known for his passing range and defensive work rate. In January 2011, he transferred to in the , featuring in 15 matches and scoring 2 goals during the second half of the 2010–11 season and helping the team to a mid-table finish while earning his first senior international call-up. His breakthrough came at , joining in July 2011 for a reported €4 million; over two seasons, he played 88 games, scored 13 goals, and contributed to key domestic successes, including the 2011–12 and the 2012 Johan Cruijff Schaal (Dutch Super Cup). These achievements highlighted his box-to-box capabilities and earned him recognition as one of the 's top young talents. In July 2013, Strootman signed with for €16.5 million, where he quickly became a cornerstone of Rudi Garcia's midfield, starting 29 matches in his debut 2013–14 season and helping Roma to second place with an impressive defensive record of just 25 goals conceded. His partnership with showcased his tenacity and vision, but tragedy struck on 9 March 2014 during a 1–0 loss to Napoli, when he tore his left (ACL), ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the . Complications followed, including meniscus damage and two additional knee surgeries in 2015—one in January revealing further ligament issues and another in September for ACL reconstruction—sidelining him for over 600 days across 2014–16 and derailing what was seen as a trajectory toward elite status, including rumored interest from Manchester United. Strootman returned sporadically for Roma from 2016 to 2018, making 65 appearances but struggling with form and fitness, before moving to on loan in July 2018, which became permanent for €25 million. At Marseille, he played 64 games over three seasons, captaining the side at times and contributing to third- and fourth-place finishes, though recurring problems limited his consistency. In January 2021, he joined on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season, making 10 appearances. He then moved to on loan for the 2021–22 season, appearing in 10 matches. In June 2022, he signed permanently with on a free transfer, amid ongoing injury battles. Back at for the 2023–24 season, limited to just three appearances, Strootman announced his immediate in October 2024, citing the cumulative toll of injuries that included three ACL-related operations and over 700 days missed in total. Following his retirement, Strootman has focused on family and personal balance as of 2025. Internationally, Strootman debuted for the in a 2011 friendly against and was part of the squad, though he remained an unused substitute as the team exited in the group stage. His peak came in qualifiers, scoring in and campaigns, but the 2014 ACL injury forced his withdrawal from the squad after initial inclusion. He earned most of his 46 caps between 2011 and 2018, including one appearance, before fading from the senior setup due to club form and injuries; he also captained the U21 at the , reaching the semi-finals.

Early life

Family background

Kevin Strootman was born on 13 February 1990 in Ridderkerk, a in the province of , . He was raised in Ridderkerk, a modest town located near with a strong community-oriented environment that fostered local sports activities. Strootman's family provided support for his burgeoning interest in football during his early childhood, enabling his participation in youth activities in the area. His mother was Diana van der Hoek-Berkelouw. Strootman's initial exposure to organized football came at the local amateur club VV Rijsoord, where he began training and playing as a young boy.

Youth development

Kevin Strootman began his organized football training at the local amateur club VV Rijsoord in Ridderkerk, where his early talent drew the attention of scouts from . In 1996, at the age of six, he joined the youth academy, marking the start of his structured development in the sport. Within the academy, Strootman progressed steadily through the age groups, starting in the under-13 team and advancing to the under-15 squad by 2003, the under-17 team from 2005 to 2007, and finally the senior youth team in 2007. He primarily developed as a central , honing his skills in ball control, passing, and tactical awareness under the guidance of academy coaches. Strootman emerged as one of the standout talents in Sparta's youth system, often regarded alongside peers like as a shining star of the academy. However, his early years were marked by challenges with , including frequent arguments with referees due to an explosive personality, which occasionally hindered his progress. Key youth coach Richard Grootscholten intervened effectively, using video analysis of Strootman's own behavior to help him mature and channel his passion more constructively. His rapid advancement through the ranks and consistent performances in youth matches generated early scouting interest from professional clubs, positioning him for a transition to senior football.

Club career

Sparta Rotterdam

Strootman joined the youth ranks of his boyhood club, , in 2007 at the age of 17, signing his initial contract with the team. He was promoted to the senior squad the following year, marking the start of his professional career. In November 2008, following promising early showings, he secured a contract extension with , committing his future to the club amid growing interest from larger Dutch sides. Strootman made his professional debut in the on 15 February 2008, entering as a substitute during a 6–2 away defeat to Ajax Amsterdam. Limited opportunities followed in the remainder of the 2007–08 season, where he accumulated just three appearances without registering a goal. His breakthrough came in the 2008–09 campaign, during which he became a first-team regular, making 25 league appearances and contributing two goals as Sparta finished 14th in the table. Key moments from that season highlighted Strootman's emerging talent as a central . He scored his first league goal on 29 October 2008, netting the winner in a memorable 2–1 derby victory over rivals at Het Kasteel. Later, on 30 November 2008, he added another in a convincing 4–0 home win against , demonstrating his composure and vision in midfield. These performances underscored his rapid development at the club that shaped his early career.

FC Utrecht

Strootman joined from Sparta Rotterdam in the January 2011 transfer window for a reported fee of €700,000. This move marked his step up to the , the top tier of Dutch football, after establishing himself in the second division. During the second half of the 2010–11 season, Strootman quickly became a regular starter in Utrecht's midfield, featuring in 14 Eredivisie matches. He contributed 2 goals and 3 assists, showcasing his box-to-box energy, tackling ability, and vision in transitioning play from defense to attack. His performances were instrumental in helping Utrecht secure a mid-table finish, with notable displays including a goal and assist in key fixtures that highlighted his growing maturity as a central midfielder. Strootman's breakout at drew attention from larger clubs, culminating in his transfer to that summer.

PSV Eindhoven

Strootman joined from on 3 July 2011 for a transfer fee of €4.5 million, signing a five-year . In his debut season (2011–12), Strootman became a regular in midfield, making 37 appearances and scoring 5 goals across all competitions, including 31 league outings with 5 goals in the . His contributions were pivotal in PSV's title triumph, secured on goal difference over Ajax after both teams finished with 75 points; the club celebrated its 21st Dutch league championship. Strootman featured in PSV's campaign that year, playing all 6 group stage matches as the team advanced to the round of 16 before elimination by . The following season (2012–13), Strootman continued his strong form, appearing in 41 matches and netting 6 goals, with 32 games yielding 6 goals and 10 assists. Among his highlights was a headed goal after 13 minutes in a 5–0 win over on 18 August 2012. Over his two full seasons at PSV, he amassed 78 appearances and 11 goals in all competitions, establishing himself as a key figure in the club's domestic dominance and European efforts. His performances at PSV attracted interest from Italian clubs, culminating in a €17 million transfer to in July 2013.

AS Roma

Kevin Strootman joined from on 16 July 2013, signing a five-year contract for a transfer fee of €17 million plus potential bonuses. The move marked a significant investment in the 23-year-old Dutch , who was seen as a key addition to bolster Roma's engine room under manager . In his debut 2013–14 season, Strootman quickly established himself as a vital player, making 29 appearances across all competitions and scoring 6 goals with 7 assists. His dynamic box-to-box style, combining defensive solidity with progressive passing and long-range shooting, contributed to Roma's strong start, including an unbeaten run of 10 league games. Strootman's performances earned widespread acclaim, with analysts highlighting him as one of the standout midfielders in for his all-around influence and physical presence. Strootman's progress was halted on 9 March 2014 during a 1–0 league defeat to Napoli, when he suffered a torn (ACL) in his left knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the . He underwent surgery shortly after and began a lengthy rehabilitation process. Strootman made a cautious return on 9 November 2014, substituting in a 3–0 win over Torino, and featured in 8 matches during the 2014–15 season, providing 2 assists but no goals. However, on 25 January 2015, he sustained further damage to his left knee in a 1–1 draw against Fiorentina, aggravating the previous ACL injury and necessitating additional surgery on 1 September 2015, which sidelined him until February 2016.

Olympique de Marseille

On 28 August 2018, Kevin Strootman transferred to from for an initial fee of €25 million, signing a five-year until June 2023. The deal reunited him with his former Roma manager , who had coached Strootman during his successful 2013–2017 spell in . This move came after Strootman had struggled for consistent playing time at Roma following multiple knee injuries earlier in his career. During the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, Strootman made 64 appearances across all competitions for , scoring 3 goals. In his debut campaign, he featured in 34 matches, including 28 in and 5 in the , but managed only 1 goal while adapting to the team's high-pressing style under Garcia. The following season saw him play 30 times, with 2 goals, primarily in domestic competitions, as finished fourth in . However, his performances were inconsistent, hampered by minor fitness setbacks such as a 16-day absence due to adductor pain in 2018–19, which limited his ability to secure a regular starting role amid competition from midfielders like . Strootman's time at Marseille was marked by ongoing challenges in recapturing his pre-injury dynamism, with lingering effects from prior knee surgeries contributing to irregular availability and subdued contributions on the pitch. By the end of the 2019–20 season, his limited starts—fewer than 20 in across both years—prompted the club to allow him to pursue more opportunities elsewhere. In January 2021, he departed on loan to to regain match fitness, marking the beginning of successive temporary moves away from the club.

Loan to Genoa

In January 2021, Kevin Strootman joined club on loan from until the end of the 2020–21 season, marking his return to Italian football after two and a half years in . The move came amid limited playing time at Marseille, where he had started just one match that season, and provided —then hovering just above the relegation zone with 14 points from 17 games—an infusion of midfield experience. During his half-season stint, Strootman featured in 18 Serie A matches, starting all of them and accumulating 1,327 minutes on the pitch. He contributed four assists, including key passes in draws against Sampdoria and Udinese, as well as wins over and Spezia, but did not score any goals. His performances were noted for adding stability and leadership to Genoa's midfield. As a seasoned central , Strootman played a supportive role in a team grappling with inconsistency, helping secure 11th place and avoid relegation with 42 points from 38 matches. His integration into the squad under manager Davide Ballardini provided tactical balance during a challenging campaign.

Loan to

On 3 July 2021, Kevin Strootman joined on a season-long loan from , with the agreement set to run until 30 June 2022. During the 2021–22 campaign, Strootman's involvement was severely limited by ongoing fitness concerns, resulting in just 10 appearances in —seven as starts—and one outing in the , for a total of 11 matches across all competitions. He contributed no goals or assists in 730 minutes played, often deployed as a defensive or central . Early in the season, Strootman dealt with thigh problems from late to mid-October 2021, missing three matches and disrupting his integration into the squad. These issues were compounded by muscular problems in early , further hampering his rhythm. In December 2021, he underwent knee surgery, which sidelined him for 144 days and prevented any return before the season's end. Despite these challenges, Cagliari's struggles culminated in relegation from after finishing 18th with only 30 points from 38 matches. Strootman's limited impact reflected his broader difficulties in regaining consistent form amid persistent injury setbacks during the spell. Upon the 's conclusion, he returned to .

Return to Genoa

In August 2022, Strootman returned to on loan from for the season. He made 30 appearances and scored 2 goals, contributing to the team's promotion to as champions. Following 's promotion to at the end of the 2022–23 season, Strootman completed a permanent free transfer to the club from in July 2023, signing a one-year contract until June 2024. During the 2023–24 Serie A campaign, Strootman featured in 27 matches for , starting 15 and appearing as a substitute in 12, for a total of 1,210 minutes played; he recorded no goals but contributed two assists. His involvement was affected by age-related fitness issues and injuries, including muscular problems that sidelined him for 24 days (missing five games) and an unknown injury lasting 29 days (missing four games), along with a brief absence due to flu. Strootman's experience in midfield helped provide stability during a transitional season, aiding Genoa's survival in as they finished 11th in the table with 49 points. His contract expired at the end of June 2024, after which he opted to retire from professional football.

Retirement

On 18 October 2024, Kevin Strootman announced his from professional football at the age of 34, effective immediately following the expiration of his contract with in June 2024. He had been without a club since then, unable to secure a new contract despite his experience. The decision stemmed primarily from the cumulative impact of injuries that diminished his performance and enjoyment of the game, leaving him unsatisfied with his on-pitch level after years of rehabilitation and inconsistent play. Strootman later explained that the intense physical and mental effort required to maintain his fitness no longer yielded sufficient rewards or moments of joy, prompting him to prioritize balance in his life beyond football. In a brief social media post marking the announcement, Strootman reflected emotionally on his career, stating, "Careers come to an end. Thank you, football," expressing gratitude for the opportunities across clubs like , , , and others that defined his journey from youth prospect to international . In subsequent reflections, he highlighted his most cherished highlights, including his rapid rise through Dutch clubs and the "best years" spent at Roma, where he played the majority of his professional matches and experienced European competition. The immediate aftermath included a heartfelt tribute from Roma supporters at the during a match shortly after his announcement.

International career

Youth international career

Strootman began his international career with the Netherlands youth teams in 2007, earning his first call-up to the under-18 side. He made his debut for the Netherlands U18 on 21 November 2007 against the . Progressing to the under-19 level, Strootman featured in the qualifiers for the . He earned four caps for the U19 team during the 2008/09 season, scoring one goal. In the elite qualifying round Group 6, he came off the bench and netted the fourth goal in a 4-1 victory over on 9 October 2008 at De Bosbouw in , helping secure the ' progression from the group. Despite topping their group, the did not advance to the finals held in . Strootman then moved up to the U21 team, making his debut on 9 2009 in a 4-0 qualifying win against . Over the next four years, he accumulated 12 caps at this level, scoring one goal and contributing several assists in competitive and friendly matches. His U21 appearances included key roles in qualifying campaigns for the and 2013 tournaments, with the latter seeing the reach the semi-finals of the in , where they lost 0-1 to .

Senior international career

Strootman made his senior international debut for the on 9 February 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 friendly victory over at the in . Over his international career, he earned 46 caps and scored 3 goals between 2011 and 2019, with his final appearance occurring on 19 November 2019 in a 5–0 win against . His goals came in competitive matches: the first against in a 0–2 victory on 6 September 2011, the second versus in a 4–0 friendly on 14 August 2013, and the third in a 3–1 win over on 13 October 2018. Strootman played a key role in the ' successful campaign under coach , appearing in four matches and contributing his debut international goal during the 0–2 away win over that helped secure qualification. He was included in the squad for the tournament finals in and but did not feature in any of the group-stage games as the Dutch exited early. Similarly, Strootman was a regular starter in Louis van Gaal's midfield during the qualifying group, making multiple appearances as the topped their section with 28 points from 10 matches to advance directly to the finals. However, a torn in his left knee, suffered just 11 minutes into a match for against Napoli on 9 March 2014, ruled him out of the tournament in . Later in his career, Strootman featured sparingly due to ongoing club-level injuries but returned for the , where he made a substitute appearance in the semi-final against on 6 June 2019 (entering in extra time during a 3–1 victory) and was an unused substitute in the final against on 9 June 2019 (a 1–0 defeat), helping the Netherlands to a runner-up finish. His limited international availability after 2014 was largely impacted by recurrent knee issues sustained at club level.

Injuries

Major knee injuries

Strootman's first significant knee injury occurred on 9 March 2014, during AS Roma's 1–0 defeat to Napoli, when he tore the (ACL) in his left knee, with potential associated meniscus damage confirmed by medical tests. He underwent shortly thereafter and was absent for 256 days, missing the remainder of the 2013–14 season and the . After a brief return to action in November 2014, Strootman suffered a reinjury on 25 January 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Fiorentina, where an initial knee bruise revealed more extensive ACL damage upon further examination. followed on 29 January 2015 in , leading to another prolonged absence of 264 days that ended his 2014–15 campaign and extended into the next season. Complications from the prior procedures persisted, culminating in a third knee surgery on 1 September 2015, an arthroscopic intervention to address scar tissue buildup (known as Cyclops syndrome) around the ACL in his left knee. This procedure sidelined him for an additional 158 days, with his return to competitive play not occurring until February 2016. These three knee surgeries collectively resulted in over 18 months of cumulative absence—approximately 678 days—severely disrupting Strootman's contributions to Roma during a pivotal period in his career.

Recovery and impact

Following his third surgery in September 2015, Strootman underwent an intensive rehabilitation program at Roma, focusing on regaining strength and stability in his left after nearly 18 months sidelined. He returned to competitive play in February 2016, making his first appearance in over a year during a 5–0 win over , where he expressed relief at feeling like a "footballer again" after 13 months out. This comeback marked a gradual reintegration, with Strootman featuring in 15 matches that season, though he managed only limited minutes initially due to ongoing recovery efforts. At from 2018 to 2020, Strootman's rehabilitation transitioned into managing lingering effects from his prior knee traumas, resulting in intermittent availability and comebacks amid minor fitness setbacks. He appeared in 28 matches in the 2018-19 season but saw his involvement drop to 25 games the following year, often limited by adductor issues and the need for cautious load management to avoid re-injury. During this period, Strootman consulted specialists who reinforced concerns about his long-term durability, echoing earlier medical advice from his Roma days. The psychological toll of these repeated injuries was profound, with Strootman revealing in a 2018 interview that he experienced significant doubts about achieving full recovery, including moments where he contemplated quitting after doctors informed him he might never play 90 minutes at the elite level again. "When the doctor told me I was never going to play again for 90 minutes, yeah, that’s when you think: ‘Oh... f***.’ I thought ‘maybe I’m not coming back,’" he recounted, highlighting the mental strain of three surgeries and 675 days missed between 2014 and 2016. These challenges shifted his career trajectory from a pre-injury status as a rising star and mainstay to a more peripheral squad role in later years, ultimately contributing to his at age 34 in October 2024 after spells on loan and reduced prominence.

Playing style

Tactical role

Kevin Strootman primarily operated as a central throughout his professional career, fulfilling roles such as a box-to-box player or regista. His versatility allowed him to adapt to various midfield configurations, but he was most effective in deeper positions where he could contribute both defensively and in build-up play. In club systems like AS Roma's 4-3-3 formation under , Strootman served as a pivotal figure in the midfield trio, shielding the backline by intercepting passes and breaking up opposition attacks while also dictating the tempo through progressive distribution. Similarly, during his time at in a 4-2-3-1 setup, he formed part of a double pivot, focusing on maintaining positional discipline to protect the defense and facilitate transitions forward. For the Netherlands national team, he balanced a three-man midfield in various formations, providing equilibrium between defensive solidity and offensive support. Strootman's tactical evolution began with more attacking tendencies in his early days at , where he occasionally pushed forward, before transitioning to a deeper, more defensive-oriented role upon joining and later PSV, emphasizing oversight of the game and gap-closing duties. Recurrent injuries, particularly to his knees, later constrained his mobility and role flexibility, compelling teams to adjust his positioning to more static, protective tasks in midfield.

Strengths and weaknesses

Kevin Strootman was renowned for his excellent vision on the pitch, enabling him to deliver precise key passes and set-pieces that often unlocked defenses. His ability to play long balls and shoot from distance further highlighted his technical proficiency in midfield distribution. In terms of defensive contributions, Strootman excelled at tackling and blocking shots, using his and tenacious work rate to win possession effectively as a ball-winner. Pre-injury assessments noted his strong duel success during his peak years at PSV and early Roma tenure. Additionally, his leadership qualities shone through in captaining the U-21 team and organizing play for the senior squad, inspiring teammates with intelligent positional awareness. His midfield intelligence drew comparisons to , with whom he formed a formidable partnership at Roma, blending defensive solidity with progressive play. However, Strootman's pace was a notable limitation, making him slower off the ball and less suited to relentless box-to-box transitions in faster-paced leagues. This physical attribute, combined with recurring injuries—particularly multiple knee surgeries that sidelined him for extended periods—affected his consistency and overall reliability throughout his career. Later in his career, he also struggled in aerial duels relative to his height and build, with a win rate of 49.2% in the 2017–18 season despite his upper-body strength. issues, including a high number of yellow cards, occasionally disrupted his focus and team structure.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Kevin Strootman has been in a long-term relationship with Thara Pols since at least 2012; the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jonah Maxime, in August 2018, shortly before his transfer from Roma to . Strootman has multiple children, though further details remain private. Throughout his career, particularly during recoveries from major knee injuries between 2014 and 2016, Strootman's family offered crucial emotional support; he has credited his partner at the time, along with relatives, for helping him through the challenging rehabilitation periods. Family considerations have influenced Strootman's club relocations, including his decision to extend his stay in Italy after joining Roma in 2013, as he reportedly told Pols after three months, "we’re never leaving," prioritizing their lifestyle there over potential moves elsewhere.

Post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from professional football on October 18, 2024, Kevin Strootman has prioritized achieving a balanced lifestyle, emphasizing family time and personal well-being over immediate professional commitments. In a 2025 interview, he described "balance" as his "magic word now," highlighting a shift toward everyday routines such as visiting local markets and handling school drop-offs for his children, which he finds fulfilling after years of intense athletic demands. This focus on work-life equilibrium reflects his desire to avoid the pressures of his playing career, allowing him to embrace a more ordinary existence in the Netherlands. Strootman maintains an active fitness regimen to stay in shape, incorporating two workouts per day that include padel and strength training, though he acknowledges past tendencies to overcompensate with excessive physical activity. As of September 2025, he has not taken on any formal coaching roles or other football-related positions, expressing openness to future opportunities without urgency: "We'll see. There's time." His post-retirement media engagements have included reflective interviews, such as a feature in Life After Football magazine and a podcast appearance on SEG Stories, where he discussed his career transitions and personal growth.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Kevin Strootman amassed 487 appearances, 45 goals, and 82 assists across all club competitions during his senior professional career, which spanned from 2008 to 2024. His contributions were distributed across seven clubs in the , , and , encompassing domestic leagues, national cups, and European tournaments. The following table summarizes his statistics by club, including all competitions:
ClubYears ActiveAppearancesGoalsAssists
2008–2011841116
20112834
2011–2013881328
Roma2013–20181311319
2018–20217839
2021–20246726
2021–20221100
These figures reflect his full professional output prior to retirement in October 2024.

International statistics

Strootman represented the Netherlands at senior international level from 2011 to 2019, accumulating 46 caps and 3 goals, with 7 assists recorded across his appearances. He also featured for the nation's youth teams, including 12 caps and 1 goal for the U21 side. The following table details his senior international appearances, goals, and assists by competition:
CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
International Friendlies2310
1514
713
100
000
One of his goals in the qualifiers came during the 2012 edition against .

Honours

PSV Eindhoven

  • KNVB Cup: 2011–12
  • Johan Cruyff Schaal: 2012

References

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