Ruben van Bommel makes rapid Oranje rise after long injury lay-off
The PSV winger has quickly entered the Netherlands picture, although his growing workload is prompting caution after ACL surgery.
Ruben van Bommel has emerged as a candidate for the Netherlands’ left wing after completing a 300-day recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The 22-year-old PSV attacker suffered the injury against Ajax on 21 September last year and returned to action during a behind-closed-doors friendly with Union Saint-Gilloise on 18 July.
His club comeback has gathered pace. Van Bommel has recorded two goals and three assists across seven Eredivisie appearances this season, while he also completed 90 minutes in PSV’s Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk. Those performances earned him a place in new Oranje coach Xavi Hernández’s plans.
Van Bommel made an immediate impact on his Netherlands debut against Germany. Introduced with ten minutes remaining, he won possession from Serge Gnabry and supplied Cody Gakpo for a 92nd-minute equaliser. Hernández subsequently described him as “a top player”, while Van Bommel became the third generation of his family to represent Oranje after grandfather Bert van Marwijk and father Mark van Bommel.
His first international start proved more difficult. In the 2-2 draw away to Greece, an underhit back-pass contributed to the hosts’ second goal and he was replaced by Noa Lang at half-time. Former PSV doctor Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband has warned that the winger remains vulnerable during this stage of his recovery. PSV coach Peter Bosz has also stressed the need for caution, with the medical teams at PSV and the KNVB maintaining close contact as Van Bommel balances domestic, European and international matches.
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