When Marjolein Lankhout of SOS Children’s Villages, a charity that offers help to vulnerable children, is looking for a new ambassador, she ends up in the football world. And in every conversation she has about potential candidates, one name invariably comes up.
Despite his busy life, Van Nistelrooij likes to become an ambassador. When Lankhout stops at the charity years later, she calls the football player to thank him. The conversation takes a different turn. “I want to stop,” it sounds with a Brabant accent on the other side of the line.
Lankhout is surprised. Even though there are ambassadors who want to stop, there are very few who actually dare to indicate it. Van Nistelrooij explains that he is too busy and is abroad too often.
Looking back, Lankhout considers it a powerful decision. “It is indicative of its purposefulness.” If Van Nistelrooij does something, he wants to do it well. He is disappointed that he can no longer give SOS Children’s Villages the attention it deserves.
That American athlete again
The two continue talking. The striker of the Dutch national team thinks back to that American athlete. He takes his diary from then again. His more than good life is largely due to his football talent. And because someone saw that talent in him.
It touches him again and Van Nistelrooij feels the intrinsic motivation to give something back. “Hi Marjolein, this is Ruud. Would you like to think along about my foundation?”
