Mark van Bommel, from the village of Maasbroek to exemplary fatherhood

Following in the footsteps of Mark van Bommel, we discover a man very attached to his family, born in Maasbroek, a Dutch village of seven thousand inhabitants between Belgium and Germany, and today father of four children, former Belgian international footballer and figure of the Red Devils.

Childhood and family business

Mark van Bommel grew up as the only child of a beverage wholesaler in Maasbroek. His father John delivered crates that could weigh up to thirty kilos, “I didn’t want Mark to ruin his back like I did,” he explained. Mark says he studied in the field of administrative assistance while working in the family business, which he considered “very demanding.”

At twenty‑one, he signs with PSV and takes presenter Harry Vermeegen to his parents’ house, where mother Andrea prepares a dish of green cabbage, minced meat and potatoes. During the visit, Vermeegen drops forty crates of beer with a forklift, causing dozens of empty bottles to explode. “Harry, what are you doing?” Mark exclaims, playing the drama.

While his teammates often went out, Mark prefers to stay at home, stating that the boys at school “wanted my life as a young footballer, but I thought exactly the opposite.” He gives up parties and birthdays, convinced that his future lies in football. His parents never had any problems with this determination.

Ruben Van Bommel provides the decisive Dutch free‑kick assist

During his final season at Fortuna Sittard, he meets Andra, daughter of his coach Bert van Marwijk, thanks to Coocky Voorn, his father’s assistant, who organizes a party for his fiftieth birthday. Andra says “the spark was immediate,” and that they talked all evening. This meeting marks the beginning of a relationship that will take him far from the pitch.

Mark then goes to his coach, arms loaded with flowers and chocolate, trembling from head to toe, to ask Andra out. Bert van Marwijk accepts without hesitation, adding humorously: “I went to the cinema with Andra to see The Truman Show, then we ate at McDonald’s.” The coach then tells the players that “a player will be coming regularly to my house,” joking about the new union.

Family life and international career

Mark and Andra settle in Eindhoven, marry two years later and welcome twins, Thomas and Renée. In 2004, the birth of Ruben completes the sibling group. The couple then settles in Barcelona, and later in Munich, where Mark continues his football career while remaining very present at home.

Ruben van Bommel provides artistic assist in Netherlands‑Germany draw

Today, Mark van Bommel regrets nothing; football has given him a career at the highest level and a solid family, reminding that the Belgian Red Devils are driven by “very family‑oriented” men. This Sports Football Red Devils series shows that a player can combine sporting success and family life.