Marten de Roon no longer expects to be called up for the Dutch national team. He has not retired but says that head coach Ronald Koeman is choosing younger players.
Marten de Roon has openly discussed his future with the Dutch national team, admitting that while he remains available if called upon, the chances of him wearing the Oranje jersey again are increasingly slim.
In an interview with ESPN, the Atalanta midfielder shared details of a candid conversation he had with head coach Ronald Koeman at the start of the season, acknowledging that his time with the national team is likely over.
“At the start of the season, I had a very detailed conversation with the coach,” De Roon said. “He was very clear in explaining that we’re entering a new cycle. National teams often work with a fixed group of players, but Koeman made it clear that he wants to take a new direction, giving opportunities to young players coming through. I understood that because I already saw it coming. In the last phase, I was playing less and less for the national team. We had a good conversation about it, and there was mutual understanding. It wasn’t easy to hear, but I appreciated his honesty.”
Despite his understanding of the decision, De Roon admitted that stepping away from the national team is not something that comes without emotion. “Of course, you want to represent your country that’s a dream for any player, and I’ve been lucky enough to do it 42 times. But realistically, when I look at how these young players are performing, I think the door is closed for me. I’ve come to terms with it; it’s kind of over.”
Even so, De Roon remains committed to the national team and has made it clear he will always answer the call if needed. “I’ll never turn down a call-up for Oranje,” he said firmly. “If they ever need me, I’ll always be there. But for now, I think the focus is on the next generation, and that’s the right thing to do.”
De Roon also reflected on his absence from the 2024 European Championship in Germany, which he missed due to injury. Surprisingly, he admitted that missing the Euros was easier to accept than missing the Europa League final with Atalanta in 2020. “That might be hard for some people to understand, but with Atalanta, I worked for ten seasons toward something. When you miss a moment like that, it’s painful. With the national team, you work toward something five times a year, so it was a bit easier for me to come to terms with missing the Euros. In a way, the Euros might have been my last big moment with Oranje.”
The Dutch national team is currently undergoing a period of transition under Ronald Koeman, who returned to the helm in 2023. Koeman has placed an emphasis on rejuvenating the squad, giving younger talents like Xavi Simons and Lutsharel Geertruida the chance to shine. De Roon, who made his debut for the Netherlands in 2016, was a steady presence in midfield for several years, known for his work rate, tactical discipline, and defensive contributions. However, with the focus shifting to the next generation, De Roon has gracefully stepped back from the spotlight, understanding that his role in the national team has come to a natural end.
Although he no longer expects to be called up, De Roon looks back on his international career with pride. Having represented the Netherlands on 42 occasions, he played an important part in key moments such as the team’s resurgence in the late 2010s, including a runners-up finish in the 2019 UEFA Nations League and a quarterfinal run at Euro 2020. As he transitions into the later stages of his club career with Atalanta, De Roon remains a professional through and through, ready to serve his country if the opportunity ever arises again. But for now, he acknowledges that the future of the Dutch national team belongs to the younger generation.
