WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: KLAAS‑JAN HUNTELAAR

'Waka Waka', the title of the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is in the Cameroonian language and, translated, means 'Walk Walk'. A single that exalted a collective, that of the Netherlands in particular. The Orange took part in the ninth edition of the greatest football competition with great ambitions, on the back of an impeccable performance in the qualifiers - eight victories out of eight - and above all a team full of quality and experience: from captain van Bronckhorst to van Persie, from van Bommel to de Jong, from Robben to Sneijder.

The group presented some challenges, with difficult opponents, but van Marwijk's team performed very well: 2-0 against Denmark and 1-0 against Japan to secure the Round of 16, then - going back to 'Waka Waka' - Cameroon, to be played on 24 June. Top of the group was already secure, but getting the full nine points without letting their guard down remained a goal. This was achieved thanks to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's decisive goal. After Robben's shot and the near post, the ball found its way to Huntelaar, who made it 2-1 into an empty net.

The Dutchman from Drempt got a call-up for his World Cup debut after the only season in his career with AC Milan. In the Rossoneri colours, he had 30 appearances and a total of seven goals; he was in form in the second half of the year, which restored his confidence in time for the World Cup. AC Milan fans will remember the double in Catania, but he found the net in other valuable circumstances.

He was an important asset for the Netherlands, even if total game time did not reflect it: he was given less than fifty minutes in total by the coach, always as a substitute. He was equally instrumental in igniting the spark, in making magic of an obstacle course that pushed the Orange through the knockout phase, when they beat Slovakia (2-1), Brazil (2-1) and Uruguay (3-2) in sequence. Then it was the Final. The outcome was unfortunate, celebrated by Spain in that terrific tournament, but for the third time the Netherlands became runners-up after 1974 and 1978: the greatest achievement ever at world level.

The summer saw him switch to the Schalke 04 jersey. From Holland (Ajax) to Italy to Germany via Spain (Real Madrid). In Gelsenkirchen, from 2010 to 2017 plus 2021, he experienced his most prolific spell in terms of appearances (184) and goals (84). A guarantee from an internationally renowned striker, a performance that also allowed him to play a leading role at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

A similar path: an almost perfect qualification and full points in the group stage. This time the dream came to a halt in the semi-finals, with a fatal penalty shootout against Argentina, but with the consolation of decisively beating the hosts (3-0) in the third-place playoff game. Around the Dutchmen's necks was Huntelaar again, hero in the Round of 16 in Fortaleza: an assist in the 88th minute for the equaliser and a goal from the penalty spot in the 94th minute like a hunter as he was nicknamed. Mexico were eliminated.

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