Meerdink returns to AZ buoyed by dream Netherlands breakthrough

Mexx Meerdink has returned to AZ after an eventful two weeks in which he made his senior Netherlands debut and scored his first two international goals. The striker said the speed of his rise—from initially being left out to leading the attack—had taken time to process.

Meerdink was given two days off following the international period, allowing him to reflect and speak with those close to him. He described representing the Netherlands as a childhood ambition and said the response extended well beyond his own overflowing phone, with his parents, brother, girlfriend and her family also receiving a flood of messages.

The forward believes AZ will benefit from what he learned while away. Training and playing alongside his international team-mates gave him valuable experience, despite the relatively short time involved. “I am very grateful and very proud,” Meerdink told AZ’s club channel in comments reported by VI.

His first Netherlands goal came from the penalty spot after Cody Gakpo had gone off. Meerdink said he approached the kick calmly because he trusted his ability and knew he was next in line to take it. Back at club level, he also collected AZ’s goal-of-the-month award for his strike against SC Heerenveen. Meerdink highlighted the first touch as the key technical feature of the finish, while also noting the quality of the shot.