Merel van Dongen plays as a defender for Spanish Primera division club Atletico Madrid and also the Netherlands women’s national team. The Dutch footballer has played for several teams both in her youth career and senior career.
The Dutch player used to play both football and basketball but later had to drop basketball because of the training level and time.
Van Dongen has participated in several competitions in the course of her international career also. She has been named to participate in the Dutch Olympic team for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Who is Merel Van Dongen?
Merel Didi van Dongen was born in the Netherlands on February 11, 1993. After high school, she attended the University of Alabama where she played football while studying psychology.
Player Profile (2021)
Full Name: Merel Didi van Dongen
Nationality: Netherlands
Date of birth: 11 February 1993
Age: 31 years old
Parents: N/A
Siblings: N/A
Education: University of Alabama
Birthplace: Netherlands
Position: defender
Height: 170cm
Weight: N/A
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Horoscope: Aquarius
Net worth: $ 500,000-$1 million
How Rich is Merel Van Dongen?
As of July 2021, Merel van Dongen’s net worth is speculated to be around $500,000-1 million dollars. She earns her income through her career in football. As her career keeps growing, so will her income.
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Here are 7 untold facts about the Dutch player
1. Merel van Dongen wrote a letter to Ajax at the age of 5
The Dutch player had dreams of playing for AFC Ajax Vrouwen at the tender age of 5. She wrote a letter to the club that she wanted to play there. The management of the club got her letter and replied to her letter. They didn’t have women’s football so she can’t join. But it was not long until Ajax started women’s football and Van Dogen happily joined her dream club.
2. Her club career
Merel van Dongen started her amateur career with Ter Leede and later ADO Den Haag. She moved to the United States and played for Alabama Crimson Tide.
The defender returned to the Netherlands in 2015 and signed with AFC Ajax.
Van Dongen made some valuable contributions while she was at Alabama crimson tide. She became the single-season assists leader in 2014 registering 10. She made it to the No.1 spot on Alabama’s career assists for every game list with 0.30 through 44 games.
Her career with Alabama was quite successful and she was even named a member of the All-Sec second team.
3. She began her junior International career in the under-19
The defender played as a junior international at the 2010 and 2011 U-19 European Championships. She made her senior debut with the Netherlands women’s national football team in a friendly win over Thailand on 7 February 2015. She was also named on the national team by Coach Roger Reijner’s final squad for UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 in Sweden.
She was also part of the Dutch squad at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Merel van Dongen has been named to the Dutch Olympic squad. Since 2015, the defender has competed in 51 international caps. She has also played with the Dutch national team in major tournaments like the 2015 and 2019 world cup.
In 2021, Merel van Dongen has played in six international friendlies and the Netherlands is ranked third in the world according to FIFA’s world rankings.
4. She is dating Ana Romero
Merel van Dongen is currently dating a former Spanish footballer Ana Maria Romero Moreno commonly known as Willy. The couple has a dog which is called Bambu Romero van Dongen and they live together in Sevilla. van Dongen sees herself as a role model for all gay sporters.
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5. She has coached at her old club
The defender revealed she was responsible for practicing and coaching the U-17 team at my old club. She has tried to inspire the younger generation. Merel van Dongen works hard and is determined to achieve her set goals.
6. Merel van Dongen’s values and beliefs
The Dutch player has values and beliefs which she stands by. She is known to participate in civil rights activities. She revealed that her values are in this order: acceptance, equality, and football. These three are the ways she vocalizes her thoughts.
7. Honors and Awards
Merel van Dongen’s career is growing and it is obvious she keeps getting better. In no time she would be known for her talent and skills on the football pitch.
The talented 31 year-old player has the following honors in her career so far.
- FIFA Women’s Cup runners-up: 2019
- Algarve Cup: 2018
- KNVB Women’s Cup: 2016-17, 2017-18 ( Ajax)
- Erdivisie: 2016-17, 2017-18(Ajax)
- KNVB Women’s Cup:2011-12 (ADO Den Haag)
- Erdivisie: 2011-12 (ADO Den Haag)
Complete profile of Merel van Dongen
| Merel van Dongen | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Merel Didi van Dongen |
| Date of Birth | 11 February 1993 |
| Age | 31 year-old |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birth place | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Education | University of Alabama Fons Vitae Lyceum |
| Profession | Professional Football player |
| Playing Posiiton | Defender |
| Clubs | 2012–2014 Alabama Crimson Tide 2010–2011 Ter Leede 2011–2012 ADO 2015–2018 Ajax 2018–2020 Real Betis 2020– Atlético Madrid 2010-2012 Netherlands U19 2015– Netherlands |
| Father | NA |
| Mother | NA |
| Siblings | Tessel |
| Marital Status | Engaged |
| Spouse/Partner | Ana Romero. |
| Boyfriend | NA |
| Kids | NA |
| Religion | NA |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $500,000-$1million |
| Source of net worth | Football career |
| Height | 5feet 8inches(1.72m) |
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lbs) |
| Eye color | NA |
| Hair color | Dark Brown |
| Social media | Instagram |
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