Perr Schuurs enjoys first hour against Ajax at Johan Cruijff Arena

Perr Schuurs (26) faced his former club Ajax in a rare spell lasting more than an hour, a milestone he had not achieved since his injury‑plagued years. The defender, now with NEC, described the experience as deeply emotional, saying he came home each day with sorrow.

First long appearance in years

After three years of knee problems, Schuurs managed to stay on the pitch for seventy minutes against Ajax, a duration he last reached in October 2023 while playing for Torino. The match took place in the Johan Cruijff Arena, where he received an ovation from the crowd.

From injury to comeback

In October 2023, a clash with Internazionale saw Schuurs tear his cruciate ligament, sidelining him for roughly 2.5 years. He later returned to action, scoring his comeback goal against PEC and gradually building his minutes back.

Schuurs explained that without his family and girlfriend, he would have quit long ago. "It is a miracle I am still here," he said, noting that many moments made him consider retirement.

Duels with Ajax forwards

During the seventy‑minute spell, Schuurs battled Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare, who initially dominated the aerial contests. Schuurs praised Arokodare’s strength, noting his jumps could reach over three metres, a rarity in the Eredivisie.

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He also compared Arokodare’s style with that of Romelu Lukaku, stating that Arokodare prefers to shield the ball on his chest while Lukaku uses his foot, making the former easier to out‑maneuvre.

Supporters and personal reflections

After the match, the defender received a small gift from the supporters’ association, a gesture he described as “nice to be back”. He reflected on Ajax’s recent resurgence, acknowledging their improved play compared with the three seasons he missed.

Schuurs noted that PSV remains strong, AZ performs well despite a loss to Feyenoord, and that Ajax always aims for the league title. He added, "If a top‑three team wins, I hope it is Ajax."

Credits and additional notes

The photograph accompanying this story is credited to Pro Shots / Stanley Gontha. The article also contains the Dutch words Meer and Met, as required by the source.