Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum has admitted that the fierce criticism he received following the match against Austria took a toll on him, leading him to disconnect from the internet to find mental peace.
“It was the toughest week of my career,” Wijnaldum said after coming on as a substitute in the Euro 1/8 final match against Romania, which took place in the 69th minute.
“Unfortunately, there’s a long wait until the next game, but I’m eager to prove myself. When the fans cheered my name when I entered the pitch, it filled me with joy,” the PSV Eindhoven midfielder expressed his emotions.
In the Netherlands’ match against Austria, Wijnaldum’s performance was heavily scrutinized, resulting in his substitution by Koeman only 34 minutes into the game. His visibly distressed state, captured in photos, became the subject of intense media attention and harsh criticism from journalists and former players.
Saddened, Wijnaldum shared, “I had to switch off the internet because the criticism was just too much.”
The Dutch team rallied around the young player, providing psychological support. Seen as a potential successor to Kroos and expected to fill De Jong’s void in the national team, Wijnaldum was under immense pressure, which affected his performance on the field. Teammates tried to comfort him despite their own disappointment with the match result.
“The coach spoke to me the following day, encouraging me to relax and focus on training. The first couple of days were tough, but then things started getting better,” Wijnaldum recounted.
Veterans like Van Dijk and Ake publicly backed Wijnaldum at a press conference, criticizing the harshness of external commentary.
“I’ve come through it. Normally, I wouldn’t be so sensitive, but this time I decided to stay away from the internet,” Wijnaldum mentioned the speculation about the end of his international career with a hint of a smile.
“We supported him until he could regain his composure. Even though he might have had a bad game, his talent is undeniable,” teammate De Vrij affirmed his support for Wijnaldum.
A week ago, the Dutch national team seemed shrouded in gloom, but following their victory over Romania, the clouds began to clear. Through this experience, Wijnaldum not only learned how to cope with external pressures but also deepened the bonds of friendship and trust with his teammates, setting a solid foundation for future challenges.