Ron Vlaar and the way

By Douglas de Graaf Modified

105 REACTIONSShow RightShow BottomFACEBOOKTWITTER

It is unfortunately often the fate of men in the shadows who take the spotlight of a World Cup in the face. At 29, in 2014, not many people expect much from Ron Vlaar. Not many people expect much from the Netherlands anyway, in full reconstruction in their rear facade. National heresy, coach Louis van Gaal even opts for a system with three centrals. A system in which Vlaar is supposed to bring a bit of experience and cunning to two young 22-year-old birds, Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi (both from Feyenoord). The star is the system. But the system is also going to have its star.

22, Vlaar the cop!

There are still some good stars among the Oranjes. The unbreakable Sneijder-Robben-Van Persie trio still takes center stage and reminds us, during the memorable opening beating against the reigning world champion Spain (5-1), that their magic can resurface at any time. But as the cleaver matches take shape, we quickly realize that the magicians' wand has no more spells to cast. And if there is a wizard to lead the fight against the dark forces, it is Ron, the faithful companion of the shadows, who rules the law behind the backs of the Harrys.Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva, Diego Costa? Powerless to deceive the vigilance of " Ron Beton ", who lets " Air Van Persie " and " the Arjen rocket " reap the laurels against La Roja, while the defensive performance of the Oranje would also have deserved all the honors. After a big scare against Australia (3-2) following the feat, Vlaar sounds the end of recess: the Netherlands will only concede one goal (in five games) on their way to 'in third place.His semi-final against Argentina (0-0, 2-4 tab), in particular, is a masterpiece of its kind. Facing him ? Lionel Messi. Since the genius of Barça easily gets rid of his little friends, the immense Vlaar is called upon to play the firefighters on duty. And there, " la Pulga " really deserves its nickname. Colossal, the rock of Aston Villa tirelessly stands in the way of Messi, based on well-felt interventions, great shoulders and mammoth tackles. The number of duels he lost to the Barça mage and his disciples that night can be counted on the fingertips. The Brazilian host will suffer the same fate in the small final (3-0). And if gossips prefer to remember his missed shot on goal against Argentina, precipitating the elimination of his people, " Ron Beton " will have left a mark forever in the hearts of the Dutch, who had lost the feeling of being brooded over by such a defense leader.

Vlaar's legacy

Rubbed away by injuries (a rupture of the cruciate ligaments, in particular, which weighed down his transfer to Lazio just after the World Cup) and swallowed up by the aftereffects of his exploit, Vlaar did not succeed to chain. And it is ultimately because of his body that he is forced to bow out at AZ. But the main thing is elsewhere: in a romanticized vision of history, the one who only knew three clubs (Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Aston Villa) can be considered a pioneer. The position of "dirty" central defender has never been perceived as sexy in the Netherlands, flamboyant liberos à la Ronald Koeman and exception to the Jaap Stam set aside. But he, the nearly thirty-something bald man with the face of a jailbird, the quickdraw of a gorilla and square feet, has helped restore him to a unique place in the orange country.Do you have a bulky physique and little delicacy with the ball? No big deal, young Dutch footballers, that's how Ron Vlaar devoured Messi on a Brazilian summer evening. And without even using the strong method, as was the lot of the oranje butchers during the previous World Cup. Contemplating the flamboyant state of the Dutch defense today (Van Dijk, De Vrij), and with the heavyweights who above all rule the roost in the duel (De Ligt, but also Lille's Sven Botman), " Ron Beton " has the right to say to himself that he paved the way and that, somewhere, it's a little bit thanks to him.By Douglas de Graaf