Anderlecht sees Jan Vertonghen don the boots, puts Ajax legends in November

One year after hanging up his boots, Jan Vertonghen is about to put on football shoes again, with a charity match scheduled for mid‑November. The former Belgian defender, record holder for caps with the Red Devils, will headline an Ajax legends match on Sunday 15 November in Amsterdam.

A return to the pitch after a year of activity

Since the end of his professional career, Vertonghen has not stopped getting involved. He notably completed an internship at the Belgian Union, working with Vincent Mannaert as part of UEFA’s “Master for International Players” programme. During this internship, he explored the federation’s financial, legal, marketing and organisational services to prepare his transition.

Despite these commitments, the call of the pitch remains strong. Thus, the Belgian record international will lace up his boots in November, taking part in the inaugural edition of an Amsterdam legends charity match.

The Ajax legends match

The match will take place at the Johan Cruijff ArenA and will bring together former Ajax greats such as Patrick Kluivert, Jari Litmanen, the De Boer brothers, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart, Urby Emanuelson and Ryan Babel. Vertonghen, who left Anderlecht for Amsterdam at sixteen, will thus don the colours of his former club.

During his years in Amsterdam, he amassed 220 appearances, scored 28 goals and provided 11 assists, contributing to two league titles and two Dutch Cups. In 2012, he was voted Ajax Player of the Year.

The match, billed as an opportunity to support charitable causes, will see Vertonghen share the spotlight with these Dutch football icons. Organisers hope that his usual “trashtalk” will add spectacle to the evening.

Anderlecht supporters, invited to follow the event, can look forward to seeing their former captain back on the pitch, even in a friendly setting. The date is therefore set, and fans are eagerly awaiting 15 November for this rare moment when the past and present of Belgian and Dutch football converge.