Clarence Seedorf is a name that would hardly fizzle out in the annals of world football considering the records he has achieved. He is the only player known to have won the champions league with three different clubs in three different countries. A feat the likes of Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo are yet to achieve.
During his playing days, the Dutchman was one of the best midfielders to grace the soccer stage. He is also one of the most decorated Dutch soccer players.
The midfielder took a bow from football on 14th January 2014, barely three months before his 38th birthday. After retirement, he took a coaching job.
Early Life And Background of Clarence Seedorf
He was born Clarence Clyde Seedorf on 1st April 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname to his parents Dulce and Johann Seedorf. When he was 2 years old, his family relocated to Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands. He grew up together side-by-side with his two younger brothers; Jurgen and Chedric.
It must have been a thrilling experience for the 49 years old growing up in a family that has deep roots in football. It started with his father who before becoming a talent manager, played football in his younger days. And the tradition was passed on to his children, with Seedorf spearheading, and followed by his younger brothers.
Seedorf started his football journey earlier. He played in the youth ranks of local clubs, VV AS 80, and Real Almere before Ajax scouts discovered him. Sometimes later, his younger brothers and cousin Stafano joined the Ajax ranks.
He went through the club’s youth academy gaining promotion to the senior team, making his first appearance on 29th November 1997. He was 17 years at the time, thus becoming the youngest ever debutant for the club. But, that record was broken by fellow dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt.
His football career took him to Italy where he spent most of his time playing for clubs like Sampdoria, Inter Milan, and Ac Milan. And Spain where he played for Real Madrid. And Lastly, to Botafogo, in Brazil, where he spent the last two years of his soccer career before retirement.
The retired footballer turned manager, had an incredible soccer career at the club level. He did what players before him and to this very moment couldn’t do. He won the UEFA Champions League 4 times, a record Messi and Ronaldo surpassed. They only did it in not more than two clubs, but Seedorf picked the 4 champions league titles from 3 clubs.
He won it once with Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998, and twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007. Notwithstanding his success in football, he is yet to replicate that in his managerial career.
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Is He Married To Sophia Makramati?
There is no information indicating whether the legendary Dutch midfielder is legally married to Sophia Makramati. What remains clear is the fact that the pair have been together since 2019.
He is always arms-tight about revealing details of his private life. However, the tiny bits of information from his Instagram page reveal her as his partner. More so, a regular feature of the couple is that they always attend business and public functions together.
On the other hand, there are multiple reports of his first marriage to a Brazilian woman, Luvianna Seedorf. They share four children; three daughters and a son. They are Jaysyley, Jusy, Darjaene, and Denzel.
According to reports, they divorce in 2018 and went their separate ways.
He Made A Fortune From His Career
Seedorf made a huge amount of money, especially from his soccer career. He may have made some cash from his brief media-related works, and his coaching jobs. He has an estimated net worth of $20 million.
If he gets better coaching offers, his net worth may go up in the coming years.
Conversion To Islam
The ex-Dutch footballer was born into a Christian family, he announced in March 2022 that he converted to Islam. Makramati’s partner sends a message of appreciation to all those who celebrated his conversion to the religion, and especially his partner whom he said taught him about Islam. Despite the conversion, Seedorf said he is going to retain the name his parents gave him at birth.
Every Interesting To Know About Clarence Seedorf
1. He Speaks Multiple Languages
The legendary Dutch midfielder speaks 6 languages fluently. They include; Dutch, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Sranan Tongo. it is likely he learned Italian and Spanish languages during his playing days in Miland and Madrid.
To speak 6 languages fluently means he is intelligent and articulate.
2. He Worked Briefly In The Media
Seedorf’s interest doesn’t only lay in football alone. He is open to trying other places as well. He started showing it before his retirement from playing. First, in 2009, he ran a column on The New York Times “Seedorf Responds.”
He was also in the BBC team that covered the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He went on to join BBC’s Match of the Day olive coverage of UEFA Euro 2012.
3. There Is A Stadium In His Name
He has strong ethnic links with Suriname which happens to be the country of his birth before his family moved to the Netherlands. As a result, he initiated many social development projects there. Prominent among is a stadium he built in the district of Para, which was named Clarence Seedorf Stadium.
It is on record that the country’s Para Juniors league is being played there, with teams from Suri Profs and SV The Brothers playing.
4. He Met Nelson Mandela
The Dutchman met the late Nelson Mandela. After the meeting, Seedorf announced that he became the legacy champion of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2009. The group was made up of other philanthropists like Patrice Motsepe, Tokyo Sexwale, David Rockefeller, Peggy Dulany, and Bill Clinton as members.
5. Nicknamed “Il Professore”
Before hanging his football boots in 2014, Seedorf earlier obtained a master’s degree in business at the Bocconi University in Milan. As a result, he earned the nickname “il professor”, translated as The Professor in English.
6. His Managerial Career Has Not Been A Sweet Ride
Two days after his official retirement from football, he was appointed as coach of AC Milan on 16th January 2014. But, he was sacked on 9th June 2014, despite winning the club’s first 5 matches since 2011.
In 2016, he took charge of China League One side Shenzhen FC but was replaced after 5 months on the job. After a year, he joined the Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense as a coach and sporting director. The deal was revoked after both parties failed to finalize agreements.
Deportivo de la Coruna appointed him as a manager in February 2018, but he quit the job when the club was relegated at the end of the season.
The Cameroonian football federation offered him a job as a manager of the Cameroon national team after failing to reach an agreement with Sven-Goran Eriksson. However, he was laid off after a disappointing outing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria beat Cameroon at the round of 16.
7. How Tall Is He?
The retired Dutch midfielder has an intimidating physical presence. His well-built physique is enhanced by his height. He is 5 feet 9 inches (1.76m) tall and carries a bodyweight of 81kg (178lbs).
Complete profile of Clarence Seedord
| Clarence Seedorf | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clarence Clyde Seedorf |
| Date of Birth | 1 April 1976 |
| Age | 49 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Birth place | Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Ethnicity | NA |
| Education | NA |
| Profession | Professional Football Manager and Former player |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Clubs | 1992–1995 Ajax 1995–1996 Sampdoria 1996–1999 Real Madrid 1999–2002 Inter Milan 2002–2012 AC Milan 2012–2014 Botafogo 1994–2008 Netherlands TEAMS MANAGED 2014 AC Milan 2016 Shenzhen 2018 Deportivo La Coruña 2018–2019 Cameroon |
| Father | Johan Seedorf |
| Mother | Dulce Seedorf |
| Siblings | Chedric and Jurgen Seedorf |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse/Partner | Sophia Makramati(present) Luviana Seedorf(Ex-wife) |
| Girlfriend | NA |
| Kids | Denzel Seedorf, Jaysyley Seedorf, Jusy Seedorf, Darjaene Seedorf |
| Religion | NA |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $20 million |
| Source of net worth | Football and football Manager career |
| Height | Feet- 5 ft 9in Meters- 1.76m Centimeters- 176cm |
| Weight | 81kg (178lbs) |
| Eye color | Black |
| Hair color | Black |
| Social media |
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