Edgar Davids

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

After beginning his career with Ajax, winning several domestic and international titles, he subsequently played in Italy for AC Milan, and later enjoyed a successful spell with Juventus, before being loaned out to Barcelona in 2004. He went on to play for Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur before returning to Ajax. Having struggled with injuries for two years, Davids returned to competitive football during a brief spell with Crystal Palace before retiring at the age of 37. In 2012, he was appointed player-manager at the English League Two club Barnet. He resigned by mutual agreement as manager in January 2014. He was capped 74 times by the Netherlands at international level, scoring six goals, and represented his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship (three times: 1996, 2000, and 2004).

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna during the 1995 Champions League final was electric as Ajax faced AC Milan. Davids operated as the defensive anchor, his small stature belying the immense physical strength he exerted across the pitch. He relentlessly pressured opponents, breaking up attacks before they could develop and launching counters with precision. His intensity was a stark contrast to the technical elegance surrounding him, providing the necessary grit for the team's success. Two years later, the narrative shifted to pain in the 1996 final against Juventus. When penalties were called upon, the pressure mounted on Davids, who stepped up only to see his shot saved. The shootout ended in defeat for Ajax, a bitter moment that highlighted the fragility of even the most dominant runs. Yet, these highs and lows defined his Ajax chapter, leaving an indelible mark as a warrior who gave everything for the shirt.

Reader's Guide

One of the most recognizable players of his generation, Davids often stood out on the football field due to his dreadlocked hair and the protective goggles he wore due to glaucoma. In 2004 he was chosen by Pelé to feature in the FIFA 100, his list of the world's greatest living footballers, as a midfielder.

Did You Know?

• Davids was nicknamed "The Pitbull" by Ajax manager Louis van Gaal due to his fierce style of play.
• He made his first team debut on 6 September 1991 in a 5–1 home win over RKC Waalwijk.
• Davids began wearing protective glasses in 1999 following surgery for glaucoma.
• He was sent home from Euro 1996 after criticizing manager Guus Hiddink in a radio interview.