Reijnders Rejects Indonesia Call-Up, Represents Netherlands in Euros, Shines in Debut

In a 2-1 victory over Poland, the Dutch national team benefited greatly from the outstanding performance of midfielder Teun Reijnders. The player with Indonesian heritage could have represented Indonesia in Asian competitions had he chosen to wear their national jersey. However, the 1998-born Reijnders opted for the Netherlands, aiming to make a name for himself on the international stage.

In the opening match of the 2024 UEFA European Championship, the Netherlands triumphed over Poland with goals from Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst, while Reijnders’ orchestration in midfield played a crucial role. Manager Ronald Koeman deployed him as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, leveraging his ability to connect defense and attack, supporting forward Memphis Depay tactically.

Throughout the 90-minute contest, the attacking midfielder Reijnders displayed exceptional form. He completed 51 accurate passes with a success rate of 91% and delivered two menacing shots, though without finding the back of the net, putting pressure on the opposing goalkeeper. Reijnders impressed with his swift game tempo, composure on the ball, and capacity to create opportunities from breaks, emerging as a creative force in the Dutch Euro campaign.

Born in Zwolle, Netherlands, Reijnders comes from a footballing family; his father Martin Reijnders and elder brother Eliano Reijnders are both professional players. His mother, Angelina Lechatomi, is of Indonesian descent. Although not genetically connected to Nigeria, his first name Teun is inspired by former Nigerian football star Tajudeen Babagida.

Rising through the ranks of the FC Zwolle youth academy, Reijnders showcased his talent early on. He represented the Dutch U20 team and received a call-up from the Indonesian national team. In February 2022, Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong personally invited him to join the squad, but Reijnders decided to commit to the Netherlands. In June 2023, he was first called up to the senior national team for the UEFA Nations League, making his debut as a substitute against Greece and starting against France in October of the same year.

To date, Reijnders has made nine appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring his first international goal against Scotland in March. In the summer of 2023, he transferred from AZ Alkmaar to Italian powerhouse AC Milan, swiftly becoming an essential player, featuring in 50 matches last season and scoring four goals. Primarily a central midfielder, Reijnders’ offensive mindset led him to choose Milan over Barcelona, as it guaranteed him a more consistent position in Italy.