Date of Birth: September 30, 1962
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Frank Rijkaard is a Dutch former footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. Born Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rijkaard’s early football career began at Ajax, where he joined the youth academy. He made his professional debut in 1980 at the age of 17. Known for his versatility, Rijkaard could play both as a central defender and a defensive midfielder. After a successful stint with Ajax, Rijkaard moved to Sporting CP and Real Zaragoza before joining AC Milan in 1988. At Milan, he became part of a legendary team that included fellow Dutchmen Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. Rijkaard won multiple Serie A titles and two European Cups with Milan. He returned to Ajax in 1993, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 1995, rounding off a highly successful playing career. Rijkaard transitioned into management, starting with the Dutch national team in 1998. He later managed Barcelona from 2003 to 2008, where he won two La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2006. His tenure at Barcelona is noted for the development of stars like Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
5 Interesting Facts about Frank Rijkaard
1. Frank Rijkaard was part of the first Dutch team to win the UEFA European Championship in 1988.
2. He is one of the few individuals who have won the UEFA Champions League both as a player and as a manager.
3. Rijkaard was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 1990.
4. He played a key role in the famous “Tiki-Taka” style of football during his management at Barcelona.
5. Rijkaard speaks multiple languages, including Dutch, English, Spanish, and Italian.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Frank Rijkaard
1. “Football is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins.”
2. “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
3. “In football, the worst things are excuses. Excuses mean you cannot grow or move forward.”
4. “Barcelona is more than a club; it’s a spirit that we all want to defend.”
5. “To be a coach means to be a teacher, a guide, and sometimes even a friend.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Frank Rijkaard’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Frank Rijkaard has three children: two sons, Santi and Liam, and a daughter, Lindsay.
Relevant Links
1. [Frank Rijkaard – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Rijkaard
3. [Frank Rijkaard – Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/frank-rijkaard/profil/trainer/23