Meet Rafeal van der Vaart

By: Corey | August 5th, 2008

Rafeal van der Vaart was presented today to the media as Real’s newest signing, which has gotten me all giddy and excited. I apologize for being a little late on this, I have been working on an RFP for some time now and its due tomorrow so I am tweaking it the best I can. Lets take you through Rafeals day shall we.

Medical Examination

Rafael van der Vaart was given the green light by the club’s medical services prior to making his way to the Santiago Bernabéu to sign his contract. The Dutch midfielder arrived at Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital at 9:00 CET to undergo various checkups, all of which he passed with flying colors. His official presentation is scheduled to take place at 13:00.

Van der Vaart underwent several tests which only confirmed his excellent state of health. “We carried out several exams and we didn’t find a single problem. He has not had any kind if injury over the last two or three years. He was in perfect health at Hamburg and he is ready and able to play for [Schuster],” commented Dr. Díez, Chief of Real Madrid’s medical services.

“Keep in mind that most European leagues are in full swing. It is only the Spanish league that hasn’t quite begun,” he added. Rafael van der Vaart then left Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital with the thumbs up from the doctors.

These always make me nervous, after the failed signing of Milito a few years back. Look what good that did us…

Contact Signing

In was what the first official signing at the Santiago Bernabéu this summer, Rafael van der Vaart inked a five-year deal with Real Madrid. The Dutchman was received by Ramón Calderón, Alfredo di Stéfano, Pedja Mijatovic, and several Board members.

Rafael van de Vaart was accompanied by his wife (ooga chacka!) and two-year old son Damián, who received a Real Madrid shirt from Ramón Calderón. Also present were his parents and maternal grandparents, native residents of Chiclana, Cadiz in southern Spain.

Standing alongside Ramón Calderón and Alfredo Di Stéfano, the player inked the five-year deal with the club. He then thanked the President for making his dream of playing for Real Madrid a reality. Calderón presented Van der Vaart with the pen used to sign the contract and a silver replica of the Santiago Bernabéu before the latter departed for the official presentation in front of the media and fans.

Presentation to the Media

Rafael van der Vaart was officially unveiled as Real Madrid’s newest player in a presentation in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu. The Dutchman was joined by President Ramón Calderón and President of Honor Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Ramón Calderón:
“At the conclusion of the last season, we made it clear that there would be very few, but very good incorporations for the new year. A logical decision having won two straight league titles and signed several young, successful, and dedicated players. It was a commitment that this Board of Directors followed through on and brought to a happy ending. Van der Vaart is the first incorporation of the year and most likely the only incorporation of the year. We feel the squad is very well-rounded, very talented and, above all, a united family which believes in the pillars of drive, hard work, sacrifice, and commitment.”

“Rafael van der Vaart is only 25-years old but has been playing in top flight football since the age of 17; the first five seasons with Ajax and the last three for Hamburg. At 18 he was called up for preparation matches for the German World Cup. He has won two leagues, one Cup, and one Super Cup. He fulfills one of our commitments made and the end of last year, which was to bring in an extraordinary talented player, a defensive midfielder who can score, who has a great vision for the game, and a ton of talent. A player who will surely help us a lot next season. He has just signed a five-year deal with this club, which is the mininum he will be here. We are absolutely positive that he will help complete the great squad we already have. We are also fortunate that he is half Spanish.”

Van der Vaart:
“Thank you, Mr. President. I don’t speak much Spanish, but I am very happy to be able to play for Real Madrid, the best team in the world. Thank you to all of you for making this possible. I am looking forward to joining the squad, to playing, and to winning many titles. Hala Madrid!”

On his way up to the Presidential Balcony, Van der Vaart confessed to Realmadrid.com that “today my dream has come true.”

Fans Presentation

More than 2,000 spectators were on hand to see Rafael van der Vaart suit up and take the Bernabéu pitch for the first time in Real Madrid whites.

Amid the cheers and “Ole’s” from the stands, Rafael van der Vaart unleashed his arsenal of ball skills. With the fans completely captivated, the midfielder then launched several balls into the crowd.

His adjustment and adaptation to the Spanish league and Real Madrid should take no time at all being that he has already played side by side three of his new teammates: Van Nistelrooy, Robben, and Sneijder, whether on the Dutch national team or Ajax. Then there is also Royston Drenthe, the Under-21 international currently in Beijing for the Olympics Games

First Presser

Have you managed to speak to Schuster or any of your fellow Dutchman on the squad?
I have spent a lot of time speaking to my compatriots, but mostly Sneijder. He has nothing but good words about Real Madrid. I have yet to speak to Schuster. We have only shaken hands, but I have a really good feeling.

What have the last 72 hours been like for you?
It has all be so exciting, especially because half of my family is Spanish. This is one of Europe’s best clubs and I am very happy and proud to be here.

Do you think you and Guti are compatible?
Guti is a fantastic player, but so is everyone else who plays for Real Madrid. I don’t think we’ll have any problems playing together. The coach will decide what position each of us will play, but Guti is one of the best players on the squad.

Yesterday was a great day in that you learned you would be signed by Real Madrid, but it was marred by the fact that your friend Sneijder is injured.
It was a bit difficult. Sneijder was saddened due to his injury and I was happy about being signed. Thankfully the injury isn’t as severe as originally thought and we are all happy. I congratulated him.

What does Real Madrid mean to you? Why Real Madrid and not a different club?
Things were very different last year. Valencia wanted me and it’s a great club, but Real Madrid were keen on signing me this season and here I am, about to play for the best club in the world.

Where on the pitch do you think you perform best?
I can play in the centre of the midfield, on the right, on the left, or even as an attacking midfielder just behind the forwards. There are several options.

Would you like to have Cristiano Ronaldo as a teammate?
I cannot say much in that regard, although Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world.

Zidane was one of your idols, but are you familiar with any other historic Real Madrid players?
Zidane was one of my favorite players, but so was Figo. Madrid have always had good players and they have all been role models.

Is winning the Champions League a possibility this year?
Of course it is. It’s a very important objective for the club and for me. We are going to do the impossible to win it.

Marca has a nice photo gallery of Rafeal’s presentation, check it out here. Its been a great presentation, and I think I speak for all Madridistas when I say this is a great signing. And I will leave you with the reason why: