Brobbey’s breakthrough: from Ajax doubts to Oranje’s World Cup star

The training ground in Monterrey is bathed in evening light as Brian Brobbey adjusts his boots one last time. Three goals in Qatar have rewritten his story, but the 24-year-old Amsterdammer has known his worth all along. Only Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Júnior and Ousmane Dembélé scored more goals than Brobbey before this tournament. His three strikes for Oranje have made him one of the stars of the World Cup. After a strong season with Sunderland, the 24-year-old is now experiencing his international breakthrough. His brace against Sweden and the opener against Tunisia have shown the world what Brobbey can do. “I feel the confidence of the head coach and that feels good,” Brobbey said. “It was a good week for me personally and for the team. I am proud of where we are now.” The Brobbey family is living a memorable tournament. Last night, his brother Derrick Luckassen scored for Ghana. Last season at Ajax proved difficult for Brobbey. Doubts were cast over his qualities and his finishing. He had none. “No, I had no doubts,” he said. “I know what I can do.” At Sunderland, Brobbey elevated his game to a new level this season. He has an explanation. “I stepped out of my comfort zone. New people, new environment. The best league. It goes faster, it’s more physical.”

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Praise has come from French and English legends. Thierry Henry, Arsenal icon, offered his thoughts in January. “It’s very old-school, I don’t know why strikers don’t do it anymore,” Henry told . “You have to hold your position and control the defender,” Henry continued. “Then the striker dictates where the play goes, not the defender. And Brobbey does that extremely well.” Henry compared Brobbey to Premier League legend Alan Shearer, who as a BBC analyst praised the Oranje striker after the Sweden game. “He gave Sweden’s three defenders a nightmare,” Shearer said. “He’s far too strong for them, blows them away with his power and speed. They have no grip on him at all.”

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Dutch great Ruud van Nistelrooy has also contributed to Brobbey’s finishing this World Cup. The former international, with 35 goals in 70 matches, joined the Oranje staff in February. “We often watch footage together, looking at what I do well and what I can improve,” Brobbey said. “For example, about positioning for the goal. When Denzel (Dumfries) plays the ball forward, how I should stand.” Brobbey is looking forward to Monday night’s clash with Morocco. “I want to be important for the team and remain so.” His big dream: “Winning the World Cup.” A winning goal in the final? “That would be beautiful.” Oranje face Morocco at 3.00 a.m. Dutch time in the Round of 16 in Monterrey. The match will be live on .nl, the app, NPO 1 and NPO Radio 1. Blind and visually impaired viewers can follow with live audio description on NPO 1 Extra (channel 81) and NPO Start.