Recently appearing on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, Edwin van der Sar was asked to name the greatest teammates he played with across his remarkable career. Having represented Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United and the Dutch National team, his choices span generations of elite talent.
What followed was not just a list of legends, but thoughtful insight into why each player earned their place.
Defensive Foundations Built on Chemistry
Ciro Ferrara
Van der Sar played with Ferrara at Juventus and described him as a “fantastic warrior” with a great attitude. While naturally more of a centre half, he felt Ferrara deserved his place in the team. His mentality and defensive strength stood out.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić
The Manchester United partnership was central to van der Sar’s success in England. Van der Sar spoke about the understanding they developed, saying they could “read and write with each other without any problems.” That triangle between goalkeeper and centre backs became a huge part of United’s success.
Frank de Boer Over Patrice Evra
When asked why Frank de Boer got the nod at left back, van der Sar admitted Evra was an option. But he chose De Boer for his intelligence and composure.
He highlighted De Boer’s famous long pass to Dennis Bergkamp against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup as an example of his vision. He described him as clever, tactically sharp, and a tremendous defender who helped teammates thrive.
Midfield Brilliance from Three Giants
Van der Sar admitted choosing just three midfielders was difficult, given the options across his career.
Frank Rijkaard
A player with a tremendous career and multiple Champions League titles. Rijkaard brought balance, authority and experience.
Zinedine Zidane
Van der Sar played two seasons alongside Zidane at Juventus and spoke glowingly of his control and calmness. He praised Zidane’s touch, his ability to generate pace when needed, and his composed personality. Not flashy, just naturally exceptional.
Paul Scholes
Six years together at Manchester United left a lasting impression. Van der Sar mentioned Scholes’ goals and his ability to spray passes across the pitch. A player universally respected by teammates and opponents alike.
Attacking Greatness
Dennis Bergkamp
Van der Sar admitted striker was not Bergkamp’s ideal position, but he simply had to include him. He joked that Bergkamp never scored an ugly goal, estimating that nearly all of his goals were special. He described him as one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.
Ryan Giggs
Longevity defined Giggs’ career. Van der Sar referenced his incredible number of league titles and his ability to perform well into his late thirties. Consistency at the highest level made him impossible to ignore.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Perhaps the most fascinating reflection was on Ronaldo. Van der Sar explained that during his Manchester United days, Ronaldo was not yet at his ultimate peak, which came later at Real Madrid.
But the ingredients were obvious. The pace, eagerness, and relentless will to train. Van der Sar noted that Ronaldo was always first in and last out, fully focused on becoming the best player in the world.
A Career Reflected in Greatness
Van der Sar’s XI is more than a collection of stars. It reflects three footballing cultures:
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Ajax’s intelligence and tactical education
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Juventus’ discipline and structure
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Manchester United’s winning mentality
From Bergkamp’s artistry to Vidić’s aggression and Ronaldo’s obsession with improvement, this team captures the standards van der Sar experienced throughout his career.
When a goalkeeper who won multiple league titles and a Champions League speaks about greatness, it carries weight. And this XI is proof that van der Sar’s career placed him alongside some of the finest players football has ever seen.
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