First taste of top-level football
For Klaassen, the Future Cup was his first real experience of an international tournament at the highest youth level. The first thing that comes to mind when he thinks about the Future Cup is clear: "I remember us winning the tournament very well. It was the first edition, and it felt like my first brush with something big. Almost like a Champions League vibe, but right here at De Toekomst."
Initially, Klaassen wasn't sure what to expect. "It was hard to predict beforehand, but once we saw the names of the opponents, we started to get a sense of what we were stepping into."
Fifteen years ago, Ajax faced the likes of Liverpool, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and China U17. "We won our first match 1–0 against Liverpool, and from that point on, it really started to come alive." Ajax remained unbeaten and went on to lift the trophy at De Toekomst.
Photos and memories
Klaassen's memories of the tournament are still vivid. "I remember most of it like it was yesterday. We won every match and things were going really well."
Looking back at photos—one capturing his wonder goal in the semi-final against AC Milan, another of him receiving the Player of the Tournament trophy from Martin Jol and Luis Suárez—a big smile appears. "Yeah, like I said: things were going pretty well," he says with a wink. "But this is exactly what I mean by that Champions League feeling. Huge crowds come to watch, and you're right in the spotlight. At that age, it's something completely new – and that’s what makes this tournament so special."
Looking at the team photo, Klaassen easily names each of his teammates. "You really built something together. It’s always special to look back on."
Great value for club and player
According to Klaassen, the Future Cup is valuable not only for the players but also for the club. "As a youth player, you usually don't get the chance to play in major international tournaments. Most of the time, they’re smaller events at amateur clubs. The Future Cup is really different. Because Ajax organises it themselves, they can invite top clubs. And the name fits perfectly with what Ajax stands for."
The tournament is also hugely important for the development of young Ajax players. "You come up against different footballing cultures and playing styles. A South American team, for example, plays very differently from a Dutch side. You carry all those experiences with you."
Nowadays, Klaassen plays alongside teammates who appeared at the Future Cup years after he did. "They'll say the same thing I do: the Future Cup is your first real taste of international top-level football and the beginning of your professional career. You can sense that the younger players have had that same experience. It lays an important foundation for what comes next."
Always keeping an eye on it
Although Klaassen often plays matches himself during Easter, he still tries to keep up with the Future Cup. "When we're travelling with the first team, we often put it on. When I was playing abroad, I followed it a bit less of course, but it’s something you always keep track of. For those boys, it's really something special, something to look forward to. Aside from the importance of the tournament, they should really enjoy it. It's something you’ll never forget."
