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Rafael van der Vaart: Family, Roots, and Staying Grounded
Rafael van der Vaart, the former Dutch international footballer, is widely recognized for his skill and success on the pitch. However,beyond his athletic achievements,Van der Vaart deeply values his upbringing,family,and maintaining a sense of humility despite his fame. This article explores his background, the influence of his family, and the lessons he hopes to pass on to his children.
Early Life and Woonwagen (Trailer) Roots
Rafael van der Vaart grew up in a woonwagen community, a traditional Dutch way of life centered around traveling communities and close-knit relationships. The experiance shaped his character, instilling values of respect, especially for elders. He reportedly addressed his parents formally, using “u,” a custom prevalent among woonwagen families. Voetbalzone details his cherished memories of growing up on the kamp (camp), describing it as a continuous holiday filled with outdoor play, early independence – learning to ride a scooter at age ten – and a constant availability of friends for football.
He emphasizes the sense of freedom and security that came with his upbringing, where everyone knew each other and strong community bonds were fostered.
The Importance of Humility and Family Values
Van der Vaart credits his parents with instilling the motto “doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg” (“act normal, that’s crazy enough”), a principle he carried throughout his career. This served as a grounding force as he gained recognition as a professional athlete, preventing him from becoming complacent or arrogant. He consistently highlights the importance of not feeling superior to others simply as of his success in football.
Now, as a father, Van der Vaart is actively imparting these values to his own children. His son,Damían,is currently developing as a footballer with Ajax,and Van der Vaart expressed a desire for his son to “stay grounded” amidst the pressures and attention that come with playing for a prestigious club. AD.nl reported on this sentiment.
Navigating prejudice and Maintaining Pride
While his upbringing was largely positive, Van der Vaart encountered prejudice due to his woonwagen background.He recalls receiving a letter from school indicating that children from the kamp would receive extra attention. However, he remained unfazed, attributing his resilience to his strong sense of pride in his heritage and the values of solidarity and hospitality that came with it. He wasn’t concerned with external opinions and remained resolute in his identity.
Lasting Impressions and Cultural Habits
Even after years of living elsewhere, Van der Vaart retains certain cultural habits from his woonwagen upbringing. He jokingly notes his tendency to remove his shoes upon entering a home, finding it unusual to wear them indoors.
Further Information
For a more in-depth look at Rafael van der Vaart’s life and career, his biography provides detailed insights.
key Takeaways
- Rafael van der Vaart’s upbringing in a woonwagen community instilled strong values of respect,humility,and community.
- He actively strives to pass these values onto his children,especially his son Dam
