Edgar Davids

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Davids made his debut for the Netherlands on 20 April 1994 in Tilburg, in a 1–0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland. During UEFA Euro 1996, he was sent home by manager Guus Hiddink for saying in a radio interview, "Hiddink should stop putting his head in some players' asses." Nonetheless, Hiddink included him in the Dutch squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Davids' most notable performance came in the second round match against FR Yugoslavia, where he scored the winning goal in the last minute, ensuring the Dutch team went through to meet Argentina. The Netherlands finished fourth overall and Davids was named to the official FIFA "Team of the Tournament". In 1999, Davids began wearing protective glasses following surgery in his right eye caused by glaucoma, which developed in 1995 following eye injuries. He first wore them on 4 September 1999 in a friendly match against Belgium. On 17 May 2001, Davids was suspended by FIFA when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone. He played in Euro 2000, where the Netherlands reached the semi-finals before losing to Italy via penalty shootout, and was again named as part of the "Team of the Tournament". During Euro 2004 qualifying, Davids scored the Netherlands' first qualifying goal in a 3–0 victory against Belarus. After Euro 2004, new coach Marco van Basten appointed Davids as captain, but lack of first-team football at Inter meant he lost his place in October 2004, losing the captain's armband to Edwin van der Sar. In October 2005, he was recalled during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, though not as captain, but fell out of the picture shortly after, missing the World Cup squad.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over the Stade de France in 1998. Davids tightened his laces, dreadlocks swaying beneath the cap. He scanned the pitch, eyes locked on the space between lines. A pass came through; he intercepted it with a tackle that echoed across the crowd. This was his ground, where every inch of turf demanded respect. In the second round against FR Yugoslavia, with the clock ticking into the last minute, Davids struck the winning goal, sending the Dutch through to face Argentina. The Netherlands finished fourth overall, and Davids was named to the official FIFA "Team of the Tournament".

Reader's Guide

Edgar Davids began his international career with the Netherlands on 20 April 1994. He quickly became an integral part of the squad for the next decade, though he failed to win any major tournaments for the Oranje. His most notable performance came at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the winning goal in the last minute of the second round match against FR Yugoslavia. He was named to the official FIFA "Team of the Tournament" for both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. At Euro 2000, the Netherlands reached the semi-finals before losing to Italy via penalty shootout. Davids was appointed captain after Euro 2004 by Marco van Basten, but lost the role in October 2004 due to lack of first-team football at Inter. He was recalled in October 2005 during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup but missed the final squad. In total, he earned 74 caps and scored six goals for the Netherlands.

Did You Know?

• Davids was sent home from Euro 1996 by manager Guus Hiddink for saying in a radio interview, 'Hiddink should stop putting his head in some players' asses.'
• He began wearing protective glasses on 4 September 1999 in a friendly against Belgium, following surgery for glaucoma that developed after eye injuries in 1995.
• On 17 May 2001, Davids was suspended by FIFA when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone.
• Davids was named to the official FIFA 'Team of the Tournament' for both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
• He was appointed captain of the Netherlands after Euro 2004 by Marco van Basten but lost the armband in October 2004 due to lack of first-team football at Inter.