Mark van Bommel proud of son Ruben's First Oranje Call-Up

Fourteen years after Mark van Bommel ended his international career with the Netherlands, his son Ruben van Bommel is set to follow in his footsteps after receiving his first Oranje call-up from head coach Xavi Hernández.

The PSV winger has been rewarded for an impressive start to the season, having returned strongly from the serious cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the previous campaign.

“I’m very proud of that. I played for the Netherlands national team myself,” Van Bommel said at his press conference in his capacity as the Belgium coach.

The 22-year-old spent a difficult period on the sidelines after suffering his cruciate ligament injury last year. His return to competitive football has been followed closely, and his performances for PSV have now earned him a place in the Netherlands squad.

Van Bommel believes the road back makes the achievement even more impressive.

“He has had a very difficult year behind him with a cruciate ligament injury. If you’re back that way, that’s pretty impressive.”

Ruben now has the opportunity to make his senior Netherlands debut, 14 years after his father last represented the country.