Ronald de Boer

Ronaldus de Boer (born 15 May 1970) is a Dutch former professional footballer. He played as a right midfielder, attacking midfielder, or right winger for the Netherlands national team and several European clubs. He is the twin brother of Frank de Boer, and his greatest success came at Ajax. He currently works as an assistant manager for Ajax’s A1 youth team.

De Boer started at the youth club De Zouaven in Lutjebroek before joining Ajax’s youth program in 1983. His professional career included spells at Ajax (1988–1991 and 1993–1999), Twente (1991–1993), Barcelona (1999–2000), Rangers (2000–2004), Al-Rayyan (2004–2005), and Al-Shamal (2005–2008). At both Qatari clubs, he reunited with his brother Frank, his teammate at Ajax, Barcelona, and Rangers.

During his first stint at Ajax, he won the Eredivisie in 1989–90 under Leo Beenhakker. After two seasons at Twente, he returned to Ajax under Louis van Gaal, where his career peaked. He won three straight Eredivisie titles (1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96), the 1995 UEFA Champions League, the 1995 Intercontinental Cup, and the 1995 UEFA Super Cup. He was also a runner-up in the 1996 Champions League, losing to Juventus on penalties. After Van Gaal left for Barcelona in July 1997, Morten Olsen took over, and De Boer won a fifth Eredivisie title in 1997–98 and the KNVB Cup that same season.

Controversy arose early in the 1998–99 season when Ronald and Frank signed a six-year contract extension with Ajax. They later took legal action to void it, claiming Ajax had verbally agreed to release one brother if a lucrative offer came, provided the other stayed. Ajax reportedly backed out after floating the club on the stock market and promising shareholders to keep both De Boers as the core of a Champions League-winning team. The conflict worsened, results suffered, and Olsen was sacked. In January 1999, the twins joined Barcelona for £22 million, reuniting with Van Gaal.

Despite his strong form at Ajax and for the Netherlands through the 1998 World Cup, De Boer’s move to Barcelona marked a downturn. He played only 33 La Liga games and scored one league goal. In the 2000–01 season, he joined Rangers under Dick Advocaat, alongside fellow Dutch internationals Bert Konterman, Arthur Numan, Fernando Ricksen, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. He debuted in a Scottish League Cup match against Aberdeen on 6 September 2000 and scored his first goal in a Champions League tie against Sturm Graz. He won no silverware in his first season, but in 2001–02 Rangers won the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup—though De Boer missed the League Cup final through injury. The 2002–03 season brought a domestic treble: league, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup. After four seasons, he moved to Al-Rayyan in 2004.

De Boer recovered from neck surgery and chose not to play Al-Shamal’s final two games of the 2006–07 season. He canceled his contract with the Qatari club on 19 March 2008 and retired.

Internationally, De Boer earned 67 caps and scored 13 goals for the Netherlands. He played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, appearing in six matches and scoring two goals. He missed a penalty in the shootout against Brazil in the 1998 semi-finals. He also featured in Euro 1996 and Euro 2000. He played various roles for the national team, including right-half, centre forward, and attacking midfielder. Early in his Ajax career, he played as a centre forward or attacking midfielder, later shifting to right midfield. He never officially captained the Netherlands or Ajax but wore the armband when the first-choice captain—often his brother Frank—was absent.

De Boer appeared on the cover of the international edition of EA Sports’ FIFA 96, alongside Jason McAteer.

His honours include five Eredivisie titles (1989–90, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98), the KNVB Cup (1997–98), three Johan Cruyff Shields (1993, 1994, 1995), the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, the 1995 UEFA Super Cup, and the 1995 Intercontinental Cup with Ajax. At Barcelona, he won La Liga in 1998–99. With Rangers, he won the Scottish Premier League (2002–03), Scottish Cup (2001–02, 2002–03), and Scottish League Cup (2002–03). At Al-Rayyan, he won the Emir of Qatar Cup in 2005. Individually, he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1994 and 1996, and placed 28th in the 1996 Ballon d’Or and 21st in 1998.