AC Milan v Manchester United, 2007 Champions League semi-final second leg at the San Siro. We won 3-0 (with goals from me, Kaka and Alberto Gilardino), to overturn a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and book our ticket to Athens.
My favourite player(s):
I have played with and against so many great players that I couldn’t possibly name them all!
Spending quality time with my wife and children. I relish the opportunities we have to share joyful moments that help me get my head away from my daily responsibilities with AC Milan and my commitments to the fans. For me, it is a beautiful thing to see the development of my children and I try to be a positive example for them. On the other hand, my children, and children in general, teach me as much or maybe more than I do them. Through the difficult and innocent questions that they ask, they are constantly challenging me to be creative, and to make the best possible decisions for their growth and wellbeing. In other words, children are what bring the best out of me!!
My favourite book:
I like any book that helps me gain a better understanding of people, that brings me closer to their issues, their struggles and their souls. I enjoy reading about spirituality, psychology, and personal development.
My favourite music:
I love music that speaks to my Latin and African roots, and sounds and rhythms that appeal to my groovy side! But I’m very open to all kinds of music really - from zen to classic to rock. The only type I don't like is techno.
My favourite car:
Lamborghini (cabriolet)
Hummer (H2)
Ferrari (cabriolet)
Audi S8
Bentley (cabriolet)
My favourite food:
I like fresh, authentic flavours that appeal to the tropical tastebuds of my youth and the creative flair of Japanese cuisine.
My favourite holiday destination:
Anywhere hot! All that matters to me is that it’s at least 28 degrees! I love to travel and I also love adventure - as long as the risks to my health and safety are limited.
Did you know?
If he had not become a footballer, Clarence might have pursued a career as a professional tennis player. Tennis remains his second sporting passion.
Did you know?
Clarence is renowned as an inspirational speaker and is often called on by companies and organisations to speak about team-building, integration and an array of other subjects, drawing on his experience as a top professional footballer and a citizen of the world.
Did you know?
Clarence’s wife Luviana hails from Brazil, and Clarence has a longstanding admiration for Brazilian football club Flamengo.
Did you know?
Clarence has two younger brothers, Chedric and Jürgen who also started out at the Ajax academy and went on to play professionally. Chedric is now with Belgian club Oostende, Rahmlee is at Den Bosch in Holland and Jürgen, who played for Ajax, NAC Breda and Graafschaap, is now a professional musician. Clarence’s cousin, Stefano is also a professional footballer, who started with Ajax and currently plays for Veria FC in Greece.
Did you know?
In 2004, Brazilian legend Pele named Clarence on his list of the 125 best footballers still playing today, compiled at the request of FIFA.
Did you know?
Clarence is currently studying for a master’s degree in management at the University of Bocconi in Milan He has already established his own sports management company and has expressed his desire to “make a difference in the way the game of football is played “ before and after he hangs up his boots.
Did you know?
In 1994, at the age of just 18, Clarence scored on his international debut for the Netherlands in a European Championship qualifier versus Luxembourg.
Did you know?
In 2007, Clarence was named as the first global ambassador for Goal 4 Africa, a new initiative designed to promote African development through football and education in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Did you know?
The 2007/08 edition of the Champions League is the 12th of Clarence’s career. Having won it on four of those occasions, he boasts the best success ratio in the tournament of any player in the game today.
Did you know?
Clarence is the only player in the history of the Champions League to win the trophy four times with three different clubs: Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998) and AC Milan (2003 & 2007).
Did you know?
Clarence actually made his ‘debut’ in a European final way back in 1992 at the age of 16… as a ball boy! The match in question was the home leg of the UEFA Cup final between Ajax and Torino. “I was so impressed by the atmosphere in the stadium,” recalls Clarence. “It was an honor to be ball-boy, especially at a European final.”
Did you know?
No Dutch player has played more European games in club football than Clarence. When he featured for AC Milan against Arsenal in the Champions League on 20 February 2008, he equalled the record of 127 games, held by Frank de Boer.
Did you know?
Clarence was born in Suriname, the former Dutch colony in South America which has been a remarkable hotbed of football talent, and produced a large number of footballers who have represented the Netherlands national team. Other Suriname-born players or players of Surinamese descent include Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Aron Winter and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Did you know?
In 2007, Clarence recorded a CD to raise funds for the Oncology Unit at Melegnano Hospital (www.aomelegnano.it) in Italy. Performing along side well-known artists including Vasco Rossi, Ramona Badescu and Milton Morales Clarence sang cover versions of Otis Redding’s Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.
Did you know?
In December 2007, Clarence clocked up his 100th Champions League game when he featured for AC Milan against Celtic, thus becoming only the seventh player in the history of the competition to manage a ‘century’ of appearances in Europe’s top club competition.