With a great majority the jury choose the player of Ajax out of all players for this years' Dutch Eredivisie. As winner he receives the Johan Cruyff Award, because he was rated the best according to the 14 rules of Johan Cruyff. Frenkie will also receive a Cruyff Court on a location of his choice.
Since 2003 the Johan Cruyff Award is handed out to the Talent of the Year. With this award Cruyff wanted to encourage young footballers to an even better future and to help them being active on a social level too. De Jong will receive the Johan Cruyff Award during the annual Football Gala in the Netherlands in October. By that time we will also announce the location of the 'Cruyff Court Frenkie de Jong'. We will realise this Cruyff Court, together with the players of the Dutch Postcode Lottery.
Jury chairman Jordi Cruyff: "This choice makes total sense. I think it's incredible that de Jong was able to keep his focus on Ajax, after his transfer to Barcelona was announced. He really made a difference in the performance of Ajax, on a national and international level and he made huge progress. He's every chance to become an international hit."
Frenkie de Jong about winning the award: "I'm really proud to win this honourful award. Cruyff was the best player we ever had in the Netherlands. He really was a gamechanger. I'm a huge fan of his style of play and think he's a wonderful person. His Foundation does great work. Sport is so important, all children should be able to do so. The projects of the Foundation creates space for so many children. It's amazing to be a part of this.
After Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Salomon Kalou, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Ibrahim Afellay, Miralem Sulejmani, Eljero Elia, Gregory van der Wiel, Christian Eriksen, Adam Maher, Marco van Ginkel, Davy Klaasen, Memphis Depay, Vincent Janssen, Kasper Dolberg and Matthijs de Ligt Frenkie de Jong is the 17th winner of the Johan Cruyff Award.