The Netherlands has long produced a quantity and calibre of player far beyond its small size. And after a fallow period, Dutch wonderkids have re-emerged as a phenomenon, with some playing their part in the Oranje's semi-final appearance at Euro 2024.
Though Ajax are the most famous talent producers, the likes of PSV and Feyenoord can also more than hold their own claim to being champions of young stars.
And so, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the top Dutch wonderkids who could light up 2025.
The Dutch wonderkids set for stardom in 2025
Xavi Simons
Kicking off our list is the one and only Xavi Simons, who had an excellent Euros and has re-joined RB Leipzig on loan, following a successful 2023/24 season at the Bundesliga club.
Simons is a supremely talented attacker, capable of playing wide, but happiest in central areas. At 21, Simons has already scored 33 goals and assisted 25 in just 106 club appearances.
He made a splash at Euro 2024 too, with a thunderous opener in his nation's semi-final against England.
The Dutch international has been on supporters' radar for approaching a decade now. At just 13 years old, he got a boot deal with Nike and amassed over two million followers on Instagram before his 16th birthday.
Simons spent nine years at Barcelona's prestigious La Masia academy but joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He has spent the last three seasons out on loan as Les Parisiens prepare him to be their star man.
Jorrel Hato
Moving back into defence, the Netherlands are similarly well-endowed.
It is no secret that Ajax endured a torrid 2023/24. The Amsterdam giants slumped to fifth place in the Eredivisie and suffered embarrassing defeats all season long, including a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Feyenoord.
One of the few green shoots in Ajax's troubled season was the emergence of young defender Jorrel Hato, who at 17 showed remarkable courage and ability from left centre-back and sometimes left-back.
Hato is a truly modern defender, in the mould of fellow Ajax product and current Arsenal fan favourite Jurrien Timber.
He is extremely front-footed when defending, both by taking the battle to his man and getting tight, but also stepping up from defence into midfield to intercept passes.
On the ball, Hato is special. He can hit fizzed, line-breaking passes into midfield from deep, or simply carry the ball there himself.
Thanks to his low centre of gravity and magnetic ball control, he is also very adept at evading pressure from his opponents.
The Ajax man continued developing in 2024/25 and became a full Dutch international.
Hato was strongly linked with Arsenal last season before signing a new contract in Amsterdam… but if the teenager's development continues apace, it won't be long until Europe's best are back at Ajax's door.
Ryan Gravenberch
Admittedly at the older end of our ‘wonderkid' continuum, we still felt it necessary to find a place for Ryan Gravenberch, who is yet to get a real chance in an Oranje shirt.
Now shining at Liverpool after a failed move to Bayern Munich from Ajax, the 22-year-old has made just seven starts since his debut back in 2021.
But with the midfielder in the best form of his young career playing as the Reds' anchor-man, surely it cannot be long until he becomes a regular in this young Dutch team.
Gravenberch has dominated the middle of the park against the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid in recent weeks.
A blend of silky smooth touches, deceptive agility, physical power, tough tackles, clever interceptions and a fine passing range, Gravenberch has every tool a top-class midfielder could want.
And at just 22, what is to stop the young Dutchman finding even more strings to his bow?
Bart Verbruggen
Already a Premier League regular, it is easy to forget that Bart Verbruggen is still just 22, baby years for a goalkeeper.
The Brighton stopper is Ronald Koeman's number one for the national side, too, and impressed at Euro 2024.
Verbruggen is a modern goalkeeper custom-built for playing for a dominant team. The Dutchman is very tall, aggressive when claiming crosses, eager to sweep high up the pitch, and comfortable with the ball at his feet, both short and long.
In 2024/25, Verbruggen has consolidated his place as Brighton's number one and made an impression on new boss Fabian Hurzeler.
The German coach said: “He reminds me of Manuel Neuer… when I saw Neuer playing a very modern style, good with his feet, always very reactive and having great saves… he has this potential to be one of the goalkeepers in the world”.
High praise indeed!
Ruben van Bommel
A young man with a very familiar surname is another AZ Alkmaar winger – Ruben van Bommel, son of legendary midfielder Mark van Bommel.
Van Bommel joined AZ last summer from second-tier MVV Maastricht and immediately looked at home, scoring six league goals in his debut campaign as an 18-year-old.
The now-19-year-old is a classic inverted winger, eager to cut in on his devastating right foot. He uses his powerful 6ft1in frame to shrug off full-backs.
Van Bommel has made yet another step up in 2024/25 this campaign, scoring six and assisting three in 16 appearances so far.
If this son is anything like his father, the Dutch could add another great flying winger to their illustrious lineage.
