View source for Rafael van der Vaart

{{short description|Dutch footballer (born 1983)}}
{{Redirect|Van der Vaart|other people with the same surname|Van der Vaart (surname)}}
{{Family name hatnote|lang=Dutch|van der Vaart|wrong=Vaart|Vaart}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rafael van der Vaart
| image = Rafael van der Vaart 2014.jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Van der Vaart at practice with [[Hamburger SV]] in 2014
| full_name = Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=34873 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 08 de mayo de 2016, en Eibar |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 8 May 2016, in Eibar |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |language=es |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190618011658/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=34873 |archive-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|2|11|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|title=R. van der Vaart|url=http://www.vi.nl/Spelers/Speler.htm?dbid=15368&typeofpage=84137|publisher=Voetbal International|access-date=8 June 2013|language=nl}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Heemskerk]], North Holland, Netherlands
| height = 1.76 m<ref>{{cite web|title=Spielerprofil – Rafael van der Vaart|url=http://www.hsv.de/teams/bundesliga/spieler/spielerportraits/?s1p1=356|publisher=Hamburger SV|access-date=8 June 2013|language=de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530034104/http://www.hsv.de/teams/bundesliga/spieler/spielerportraits/?s1p1=356|archive-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1987–1993
| youthclubs1 = De Kennemers
| youthyears2 = 1993–2000
| youthclubs2 = [[Ajax Academy|Ajax]]
| years1 = 2000–2005
| clubs1 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps1 = 117
| goals1 = 52
| years2 = 2005–2008
| clubs2 = [[Hamburger SV]]
| caps2 = 74
| goals2 = 30
| years3 = 2008–2010
| clubs3 = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
| caps3 = 58
| goals3 = 11
| years4 = 2010–2012
| clubs4 = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
| caps4 = 63
| goals4 = 24
| years5 = 2012–2015
| clubs5 = [[Hamburger SV]]
| caps5 = 78
| goals5 = 16
| years6 = 2015–2016
| clubs6 = [[Real Betis|Betis]]
| caps6 = 7
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = [[FC Midtjylland|Midtjylland]]
| caps7 = 17
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2018
| clubs8 = [[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]]
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 417
| totalgoals = 135
| nationalyears1 = 1998–1999
| nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands national under-17 football team|Netherlands U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 13
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 1999–2000
| nationalteam2 = [[Netherlands national under-19 football team|Netherlands U19]]
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2000–2001
| nationalteam3 = [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Netherlands U21]]
| nationalcaps3 = 4
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2001–2013
| nationalteam4 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
| nationalcaps4 = 109
| nationalgoals4 = 25
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}}
{{medalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{medal|RU|[[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 South Africa]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|B|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004 Portugal]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Under-16 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|B|[[2000 UEFA European Under-16 Championship|2000 Israel]]|[[Netherlands national under-16 football team|U-16 Team]]}}
| manageryears1 = 2022
| managerclubs1 = [[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]] (caretaker)
}}
'''Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart''' ({{IPA|nl|vɑn dər vaːrt|}}; born 11 February 1983) is a Dutch former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as an [[attacking midfielder]].<ref name="EfB henter van der Vaart - EfB">{{Cite news |date=2022-03-12 |title=Rafael van der Vaart interim-trainer bij Deense club Esbjerg |trans-title=Rafael van der Vaart is interim coach at Danish club Esbjerg. |url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1707016853/rafael-van-der-vaart-interim-trainer-bij-deense-club-esbjerg |access-date=2022-03-12 |work=De Telegraaf |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

Van der Vaart began his career at [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]'s [[Ajax Youth Academy|youth academy]] and worked his way into the first team, debuting as a 17-year-old. Known for his [[Playmaker|playmaking]] skills, he drew comparisons to [[Johan Cruyff]]. He was named [[Dutch Footballer of the Year|Dutch Football Talent of the Year]] and became the first recipient of the [[Golden Boy Award]] while at the club. He moved to [[Bundesliga]] club [[Hamburger SV]], then to [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], then on to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] before returning to Hamburger SV in 2012. In the latter stages of his career, Van der Vaart had brief spells playing in Spain and Denmark before announcing his retirement in 2018, and return in 2019 with a testimonial match.

Van der Vaart earned [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|109 caps]] for the Netherlands between 2001 and 2013. He represented the country at three [[UEFA European Championship]]s and two [[FIFA World Cup]]s, reaching the final in [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|2010]].

In 2019, Van der Vaart began his [[darts]] career, joining the [[British Darts Organisation]].

==Early life==
Van der Vaart was born in [[Heemskerk]], North Holland, to a Dutch father and a Spanish mother from [[Chiclana de la Frontera]], [[Cádiz (province)|Cádiz]], who had moved to the Netherlands weeks after birth.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lozano |first1=Andrós |date=21 June 2015 |title=Rafael Van der Vaart vuelve a tierras gaditanas, su segundo hogar |trans-title=Rafael Van der Vaart returns to Cádiz, his second home. |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/06/20/55845528268e3e2a2e8b458b.html |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=El Mundo |language=Spanish}}</ref> He grew up on a [[trailer park|caravan park]], belonging to [[Dutch Travellers]] called the Woonwagenbewoners, who had ties to the [[Irish Travellers]] and the [[Yenish people]], and he often pretended to be [[Romário]] while playing football.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 June 2006 |title=Rafael van der Vaart verloochent zijn afkomst niet |trans-title=Rafael van der Vaart does not deny his roots. |url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/Binnenland/article/detail/773555/2006/06/21/Rafael-van-der-Vaart-verloochent-zijn-afkomst-niet.dhtml |work=De Volkskrant |language=nl}}</ref><ref name="10 things you need to know about Rafael van der Vaart"/> It was at the trailer park that he learned how to play football and, before joining [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]], he played for a local club called De Kennemers based in [[Beverwijk]]. At the age of ten, he joined the Ajax Academy.<ref name="10 things you need to know about Rafael van der Vaart">{{cite news| title = 10 things you need to know about Rafael van der Vaart | url = http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/football-spy/Tottenham-new-signing-Rafael-van-der-Vaart-Top-10-things-you-need-to-know-plus-watch-outrageous-goals-and-tricks-and-pictures-of-super-WAG-Sylvie-van-der-Vaart-article439089.html
| publisher = Mirror Football| date = 1 September 2010| access-date =1 September 2010| first=Dan| last=Silver}}</ref> Van der Vaart has said of his upbringing: "That was the way my family lived. My father was born there and it is a lifestyle. Maybe it is not a normal lifestyle but I always liked it. I always played football on the street. It was an easy life, then I was 10 years old and went to Ajax and played there for almost 12 years."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football: News, opinion, previews, results & live scores - Mirror Online |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Ajax===
Van der Vaart came through the ranks at Ajax with national teammates [[John Heitinga]] and [[Wesley Sneijder]]. Initially, he signed for Ajax on a trial basis as a ten-year-old, but was eventually enrolled permanently after impressing the coaches. At the age of 17, Van der Vaart made his debut for the Ajax senior side in a 1–1 draw with [[FC Den Bosch|Den Bosch]] on 19 April 2000 in the [[1999–2000 in Dutch football|1999–00 season]]. After he broke into the Ajax first team, Van der Vaart was "hailed as the new [[Johan Cruyff]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |date=2010-11-02 |title=Rafael van der Vaart refuses to play the envy game with Wesley Sneijder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/nov/02/rafael-van-der-vaart-sneijder |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-29 |title=Rafael van der Vaart looking for silverware at Tottenham to end his personal drought |url=http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/11/06/rafael-van-der-vaart-looking-for-silverware-at-tottenham-to-end-his-personal-drought-102039-23540452/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Rafael van der Vaart side.jpg|thumb|Van der Vaart was with [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] from 1993 to 2005.]]
In the [[2000–01 in Dutch football|2000–01 season]], Ajax manager [[Co Adriaanse]] increased Van der Vaart's playing time by moving him to the [[attacking midfielder]] position. He was voted European Talent of the Year by Italian football website CalcioManager.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Van der Vaart voted 'European Talent of the Year'
| url = http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2000-2001/0611.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215105726/http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2000-2001/0611.html
| url-status = usurped
| archive-date = 15 February 2009
| publisher = Ajax USA
| access-date =7 August 2008}}</ref>

The [[2001–02 AFC Ajax season|next season]], Van der Vaart suffered a serious knee injury against [[RKC Waalwijk]] on 10 February 2002 which required an operation that involved the removal of his entire [[Meniscus (anatomy)|meniscus]]. This injury forced him to miss the run-in to Ajax's successful [[Eredivisie]] campaign and their Dutch Cup triumph against [[FC Utrecht|Utrecht]] in the 2001–02 season, but it did not stop him being named the Netherlands' Talent of the Year, mainly thanks to the 15 goals in just 27 games that he scored before the incident.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

In [[2002–03 AFC Ajax season|2002–03]], Ajax won the [[Amsterdam Tournament]], though injury limited Van der Vaart to 21 league appearances, in which he scored 18 goals.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/vdvaartdata.html | title = Rafael van der Vaart - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 11 September 2019 | access-date = 16 September 2019 | website = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> After his return to fitness, he scored a vital goal in the [[UEFA Champions League]] away to [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]], which propelled Ajax into the knockout stages.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

In the first half of [[2003–04 AFC Ajax season|2003–04]], his performances were poor. Van der Vaart admitted he was overweight, and the media criticized his celebrity lifestyle with his then-fiancée, ''[[The Music Factory]]'' [[VJ (media personality)|VJ]] [[Sylvie Meis]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:STSB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1031945AD7B88AFD&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Emerging Dutch master |last=Hughes |first=Rob |newspaper=The Straits Times |format=reprint hosted by NewsBank |date=9 June 2004 |access-date=13 January 2012 |quote='Before the winter break in Holland,' he admits, 'my performances were terrible. Some of it was caused by my being overweight, and a lot of critics said my relationship with Sylvie Meis was the cause of my dip in form.' Sylvie Meis is the Dutch television celebrity who turns the heads of many a young man. The stories about her leading Rafael astray are, he claims, over the top. 'People said because of her I wasn't focused on football and went to too many parties,' he says.}}</ref> He became an influential figure once again as Ajax claimed another league title. By that stage, Van der Vaart had firmly established himself as one of the stars of the Ajax team, as well as one of the most popular players in the Netherlands.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

Van der Vaart was named team captain by coach [[Ronald Koeman]] for the [[2004–05 AFC Ajax season|2004–05 season]]. During an international match against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] on 18 August 2004, he was injured by then-Ajax teammate [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]], which led to the sale of Ibrahimović to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] two weeks later, following controversial accusations that the Swede had intentionally tried to hurt Van der Vaart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player profile: Rafaël van der Vaart |url=http://www.footymania.com/player.phtml?playerID=141 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030749/http://www.footymania.com/player.phtml?playerID=141 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.footymania.com |url-status=live }}</ref> He was unhappy at being played out of position, and following his refusal to play on the wing in a Champions League match in December, he was stripped of the team captaincy by Koeman.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11913/2318846/%20captaincy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202171924/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11913/2318846/%20captaincy |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2013 |title=Ajax strip van of captaincy |first=Peter |last=O'Rourke |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 December 2004 |access-date=13 January 2012 }}</ref>

His ongoing injury problems that resulted in an average of only 23 league appearances in five seasons with Ajax, led him to announce that he was leaving the club at the end of the year.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

===Hamburger SV===
At this point, Van der Vaart's performances were attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs. He had previously been strongly linked to [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], but in the summer of 2005, he signed for [[Bundesliga]] outfit [[Hamburger SV]] in Germany. Van der Vaart's €5.5&nbsp;million transfer to Hamburg, on 1 June 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |title=People's Daily Online  -- Ajax agrees to transfer midfielder Van der Vaart to Hamburg |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200506/01/eng20050601_187878.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116123622/http://english.people.com.cn/200506/01/eng20050601_187878.html |archive-date=16 January 2009 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=english.people.com.cn |url-status=live }}</ref> raised many eyebrows. Many other top-flight clubs had shown interest in the midfielder but he chose Hamburg. Ajax legend Johan Cruyff himself commented in his ''[[De Telegraaf]]'' column: "I don't know what to say about it or what Rafael van der Vaart is doing in Hamburg."<ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |date=2005-07-12 |title=Whatever happened to Rafael van der Vaart? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4673085.stm |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He played a massive part in Hamburg's impressive away form that season, scoring in each of their first four games on the road; in fact, in the course of his first one and a half seasons with the German club, they did not lose a single match away from home while he was on the pitch. Van der Vaart finished his [[2005–06 Bundesliga|first season]] as the team's top scorer as Hamburg finished third in the league and won the [[2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup]].{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

He assumed the team captaincy for the [[2006–07 Bundesliga|2006–07 season]]. This season proved to be a difficult one for his club, and despite Van der Vaart's three goals in the Champions League group stages, they made an early exit from the competition, while languishing for several months in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table as Van der Vaart was troubled by injuries throughout the season. The arrival of Van der Vaart's countryman [[Huub Stevens]] as head coach, however, saw Hamburg march up the standings and they finished the season in a respectable seventh place, qualifying for, and also winning, the Intertoto Cup.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

After garnering interest from [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] from Spain, Van der Vaart responded by saying, "I am set to spend another season in Hamburg," of which he told ''[[Welt am Sonntag]]''. He further added, "Now we have the team to achieve something." In the [[2007–08 Bundesliga|2007–08 season]], Van der Vaart scored 12 league goals as Hamburg finished fourth in the league, while reaching the round of 16 in the [[2007–08 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]. During the UEFA Cup away win at [[FC Zürich]], he tore ankle ligaments and was out of action for several weeks. Despite interest from other clubs such as [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/10/16/ufnchelsea116.xml Rafael van der Vaart is £20m Chelsea target]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''The Daily Telegraph'', 16 October 2007</ref> and [[Valencia CF|Valencia]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koeman wants Van der Vaart |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_2841297,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref> he stated that he would stay at Hamburg until the end of the season, but opted out of signing a contract extension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van der Vaart turns down new deal |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/germany/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/01/05/SOCCER_Ger-Hamburg.html&TEAMHD=germany |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605032531/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/germany/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/01/05/SOCCER_Ger-Hamburg.html&TEAMHD=germany |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.sportinglife.com |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Real Madrid===
{{Quote_box|
 width=25%
|align=right
|quote="Rafael van der Vaart is a player of great quality, vision and talent. We are certain that he will be a player who will help us complement the already very strong squad we have."
|source=– [[Ramón Calderón]] on Van der Vaart following his arrival at [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] in August 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid make 'almost certainly' their last signing of the summer|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport-old/football/2008/08/05/real-madrid-make-almost-certainly-their-last-signing-of-the-summer-115875-20685169/ |work=Mirror |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}</ref>}}
[[File:Rafael van der Vaart Real Madrid.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Van der Vaart in action for Real Madrid]]
Towards the end of the 2007–08 season, Van der Vaart was linked to a move to several clubs including [[Atlético Madrid]] and Juventus. Atlético made a €15&nbsp;million bid for the Dutchman,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atletico make Van der Vaart bid |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=823743.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710071809/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=823743.html |archive-date=2008-07-10 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref> which Hamburg rejected, and in the end, it was their cross-town rivals who got Van der Vaart's signature instead.

On 4 August 2008, Real Madrid and Hamburg reached a €13&nbsp;million agreement for Van der Vaart's transfer, Real Madrid's only summer signing.<ref name="Rafael van der Vaart">{{cite web| title = Real Madrid and Hamburg reach an agreement for the transfer of the Dutch midfielder| url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740425234/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Rafael_van_der_Vaart.htm| publisher = Real Madrid| date = 4 August 2008| access-date = 7 August 2008| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080808022545/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740425234/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Rafael_van_der_Vaart.htm| archive-date = 8 August 2008}}</ref> He signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed amount.<ref name="Contract signed">{{cite web | title = Rafael van der Vaart completes deal with Real Madrid | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740453911/noticia/Noticia/Contract_signed.htm | publisher = Real Madrid | date = 5 August 2008 | access-date = 7 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217000943/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740453911/noticia/Noticia/Contract_signed.htm | archive-date = 17 February 2009 }}</ref> Van der Vaart debuted in a 2–1 pre-season win four days later, against Colombian side [[Independiente Santa Fé|Independiente]], where he scored the equalising goal and provided an assist for the winner.<ref>{{cite web| title = Van der Vaart's scores in debut| url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740581142/noticia/Cronica/Van_der_Vaart_s_scores_in_debut.htm| publisher = Real Madrid| date = 8 August 2008| access-date = 9 August 2008| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080811044603/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202740581142/noticia/Cronica/Van_der_Vaart_s_scores_in_debut.htm| archive-date = 11 August 2008}}</ref>

He changed his squad number from 19 to his favoured number 23 after teammate [[Wesley Sneijder]] took number 10 following [[Robinho]]'s departure to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] on 31 August.<ref>{{cite web | title = Official shirt numbers – Sneijder switches to '10' and Van der Vaart takes over '23' | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202741649574/noticia/Noticia/Official_shirt_numbers.htm | publisher = Real Madrid | date = 3 September 2008 | access-date = 3 September 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081004063126/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202741649574/noticia/Noticia/Official_shirt_numbers.htm | archive-date = 4 October 2008 }}</ref> He marked his league debut for Real Madrid with a strike against [[CD Numancia|Numancia]] in a 4–3 victory. On 24 September, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 7–1 thrashing of [[Sporting de Gijón]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Madrid 7–1 Sporting Gijon| url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202742667161/noticia/Cronica/Pure_spectacle.htm| publisher = Real Madrid| date = 24 August 2008| access-date = 27 August 2008| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080928045321/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202742667161/noticia/Cronica/Pure_spectacle.htm| archive-date = 28 September 2008}}</ref> In October
2008, Van der Vaart was one of the many La Liga players to be nominated for the [[Ballon d'Or]], but the award eventually went to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] forward and future teammate [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or |url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4575921,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref> For the latter part of the [[2008–09 Real Madrid CF season|2008–09 season]], Van der Vaart was mostly utilised as an impact substitute by coach [[Juande Ramos]], which led to speculations of a fall-out between coach and player. Despite transfer rumours linking him with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], he denied having any links with the English clubs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van der Vaart denies Chelsea talk |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1043480.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402153632/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1043480.html |archive-date=2009-04-02 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref>

During the summer of 2009, it was speculated that van der Vaart would leave Real Madrid after being told he was not going to be part of the team's plans by coach [[Manuel Pellegrini]]. His number 23 jersey was even handed to [[Esteban Granero]] in preseason, leaving him without a squad number. Towards the end of the summer [[transfer window]], however, he eventually came to an agreement with Real Madrid to stay with the club after the squad size had been reduced to 25 players as Dutch compatriots Sneijder, [[Arjen Robben]] and [[Klaas-Jan Huntelaar]] were forced to leave the club. Van der Vaart was handed his original number 23 jersey while Granero was given number 24. After a wait of four games, Van der Vaart was finally included in Pellegrini's squad list to face [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] on 23 September.<ref>{{cite web | title = Pellegrini calls up 18 players | url = http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797365294/noticia/Convocatoria/Pellegrini_calls_up_18_players.htm | publisher = Real Madrid | access-date = 9 May 2010 | date = 22 September 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090926023333/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797365294/noticia/Convocatoria/Pellegrini_calls_up_18_players.htm | archive-date = 26 September 2009 }}</ref> An injury to [[Kaká]] gave Van der Vaart a chance to establish himself as a key player for Real Madrid again. On 20 December, he scored two goals in a 6–0 win against [[Real Zaragoza]]. He scored his last goal for Real Madrid against [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] on 16 May 2010. Van der Vaart stated his desire to stay at Real Madrid, at least until the end of his contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van loving Real life |url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5791706,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref>

===Tottenham Hotspur===
On 31 August 2010, two hours before the transfer window closed, [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] made an offer of £8&nbsp;million for Van der Vaart. According to Spurs manager [[Harry Redknapp]], an £18&nbsp;million transfer to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] had collapsed the day before and Van der Vaart had suddenly become much cheaper, although such a price reduction was later denied by Real Madrid.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redknapp hopeful on Rafael |url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6351346,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref><ref name="Met Deadlines">{{Cite web |title=Spurs given permission to sign Van der Vaart - Transfers - ESPN Soccernet |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=819695&sec=transfers&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904051908/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=819695&sec=transfers&cc=5739 |archive-date=2010-09-04 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=soccernet.espn.go.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=S.A. |first=Indra Sistemas |title=Miguel Pardeza: "It is absolutely false that Real Madrid received a 21 million euro offer from Bayern Munich for Van der Vaart" |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330013615854/noticia/Noticia/Miguel_Pardeza:__It_is_absolutely_false_that_Real_Madrid_received_a_21_million_euro_offer_from_B.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803023336/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330013615854/noticia/Noticia/Miguel_Pardeza:__It_is_absolutely_false_that_Real_Madrid_received_a_21_million_euro_offer_from_B.htm |archive-date=3 August 2011 |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=Real Madrid C.F. - Official Web Site |language=es |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to problems with computer servers used in the transaction between Tottenham and Real Madrid, preventing the necessary paperwork from being completed, Spurs requested special dispensation from the [[Premier League]] to allow the transfer to proceed.<ref name="Met Deadlines" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spurs hit Van der Vaart hitch |url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6352239,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref> The Premier League confirmed on 1 September that the transfer had been permitted after they gave Tottenham special dispensation due to "technical problems". He signed a four-year contract at [[White Hart Lane]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Rafael-Van-Der-Vaart-is-delighted-to-have-joined-Tottenham-for-8million-from-Real-Madrid-article569973.html|title=Football News - all the latest breaking football stories - Mirror Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-01 |title=Spurs clinch Van der Vaart deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8958654.stm |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=Spurs>{{cite web| title = Van der Vaart deal confirmed | url = http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/van-der-vaart-deal-confirmed-010910.html| publisher = Tottenham Hotspur F.C.| access-date =1 September 2010|date=1 September 2010}}</ref> It was announced that Van der Vaart would wear the number 11 shirt for Spurs.<ref>[http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/squad-update-020910.html Squad update] Tottenham Hotspur F.C., 2 September 2010</ref> Van der Vaart later denied speculation that he had been a failure at Real Madrid, stating that he always gave his best over the last few years for both club and country, and that he wanted to show his quality for his new club.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120716061938/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=820094&sec=england&cc=5739 Van der Vaart denies failing in Madrid] ESPN Soccernet, 2 September 2010</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rafael – I'm no Real reject |url=https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6354468,00.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref>

[[File:Rafael van der Vaart 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Van der Vaart with Tottenham Hotspur]]
Van der Vaart made his Premier League debut for Spurs in a 1–1 draw against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on 11 September 2010,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lovejoy |first=Joe |date=2010-09-11 |title=West Brom earn deserved point against rattled Tottenham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/11/west-bromwich-albion-tottenham-premier-league |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and his [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] bow for the club three days later against [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]], providing an assist for [[Peter Crouch]] in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-14 |title=Werder Bremen 2-2 Tottenham |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8994681.stm |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Champions League: Manchester United, Tottenham both held - UEFA Champions League - ESPN Soccernet |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=823247&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917155730/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=823247&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5739 |archive-date=2010-09-17 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=soccernet.espn.go.com}}</ref> Van der Vaart scored his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot in a 3–1 win against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] on 18 September.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-18 |title=Tottenham 3-1 Wolves |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9004741.stm |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers - English Premier League - ESPN Soccernet |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293180&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921113205/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293180&cc=5739 |archive-date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=soccernet.espn.go.com}}</ref> After starting his Spurs career by scoring three goals in four Premier League matches, and with a goal and an assist in two Champions League matches, Van der Vaart was named Goal.com World Player of the Week on 4 October 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2876/world-player-of-the-week/2010/10/04/2149741/goalcom-world-player-of-the-week-rafael-van-der-vaart|title=Goal.com World Player of the Week: Rafael van der Vaart – Tottenham|publisher=Goal.com|first=Subhankar|last=Mondal|date=4 October 2010|access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref> He was later named [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9168142.stm|title=Moyes & Van der Vaart win Premier League awards|work=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2010|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref>

A [[hamstring]] injury kept Van der Vaart out of action for much of December,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/3896/7/tottenham-boost-van-der-vaart-ready-return|title=Tottenham boost as Van der Vaart ready to return|publisher=talkSPORT|date=21 December 2010|access-date=4 January 2011|archive-date=24 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224103456/http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/3896/7/tottenham-boost-van-der-vaart-ready-return|url-status=dead}}</ref> but he returned to the Tottenham side on 26 December, scoring both goals in a 2–1 away win over [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9309537.stm|title=Aston Villa 1–2 Tottenham|first=Phil|last=McNulty|work=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2010|access-date=4 January 2011}}</ref> On 20 April 2011, Van der Vaart revived Tottenham's Champions League ambitions by scoring twice to hold North London rivals Arsenal to a 3–3 draw at White Hart Lane. After losing to Manchester City and being knocked out of the Champions League race, Spurs travelled to [[Anfield]]. Van der Vaart scored from 25 yards out in a 2–0 win that put Tottenham in position to secure qualification for the Europa League. He ended the season as Spurs' top scorer in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals – nearly a quarter of Tottenham's total – while also providing the most assists, with nine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier League Combined Goals & Assists 2010–11|url=http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Combined_2010-11.html|publisher=Myfootballfacts.com}}</ref>

Van der Vaart scored his first two Premier League goals of [[2011–12 Premier League|the following season]] against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14957897 Wigan 1–2 Tottenham] BBC Sport, 24 September 2011</ref> and Arsenal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15051273 Tottenham 2–1 Arsenal] BBC Sport, 2 October 2011</ref>
Van der Vaart scored a penalty away against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 16 October to keep up a good run of goal scoring form and also scored twice in the 2–1 win over [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15325543 Blackburn 1–2 Tottenham] BBC Sport, 23 October 2011</ref> On 30 October, scored in a 3–1 win over [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], equalling a Tottenham record by scoring in five consecutive Premier League matches, a record he shares with [[Teddy Sheringham]] and [[Robbie Keane]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Happy Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart going nowhere |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/120015.html |website=ESPN.co.uk |access-date=14 January 2021 |date=6 November 2011}}</ref> On 31 December, he scored away to [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], converting a [[Benoît Assou-Ekotto]] cross.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16324753 "Swansea 1–1 Tottenham"] BBC Sport. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.</ref> Van der Vaart scored a long-range effort against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] in the [[FA Cup]] to send Tottenham through to the next round of the competition with a 1–0 victory. He was on the pitch at White Hart Lane on 17 March 2012 when [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] midfielder [[Fabrice Muamba]] went into cardiac arrest; Van der Vaart later described it as "horrible to witness ... the absolute low in my football career".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9153302/Fabrice-Muamba-collapsing-left-players-panicking-it-was-horrifying-to-watch-says-Tottenhams-Rafael-van-der-Vaart.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9153302/Fabrice-Muamba-collapsing-left-players-panicking-it-was-horrifying-to-watch-says-Tottenhams-Rafael-van-der-Vaart.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Fabrice Muamba collapsing left players panicking, it was horrifying to watch, says Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=19 March 2012|access-date=19 March 2012|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 

===Return to Hamburg===
[[File:Rafael van der Vaart 2013.jpg|thumb|upright|Van der Vaart with [[Hamburger SV|Hamburg]] in 2013]]
On 31 August 2012, Van der Vaart returned to his former club, Hamburger SV.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8036508/VDV-heading-back-to-Hamburg|title=VDV heading back to Hamburg|work=Sky Sports|date=31 August 2012|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> He would wear his favourite 23 number on the shirt and was announced as club's vice-captain. On 16 September, he made his second debut with HSV in a match against [[Eintracht Frankfurt]]. On 22 September, Van der Vaart provided two assists against [[Borussia Dortmund]], contributing to two crucial goals in a 3–2 win. He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 away draw against [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]], later suffering a serious injury that left him out of action for several months.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

Van der Vaart made his return to action on 20 January 2013 against [[1. FC Nürnberg|Nürnberg]] in a 1–1 draw. On 9 April, he was named the club's captain, succeeding [[Heiko Westermann]]. Not having scored for almost two months, Van der Vaart scored a brace on 20 April 2013 against [[Fortuna Düsseldorf]] in a 2–1 home win. Hamburg later decided not to give van der Vaart a contract extension.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hellmann|first1=Frank|title=Fußtritt zum Abschied|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/hsv-spieler-rafael-van-der-vaart-fusstritt-zum-abschied-1.2414737|access-date=28 March 2015|newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=28 March 2015|language=de}}</ref>

===Real Betis===
Van der Vaart joined newly promoted Spanish club [[Real Betis]] on a free transfer in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greaves|first1=Russell|title='It's a dream' - Van der Vaart joins Betis|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2015/06/16/12759912/its-a-dream-van-der-vaart-joins-betis|publisher=Goal|access-date=23 December 2015|date=16 June 2015}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 24 September in a 2–1 [[La Liga]] defeat to [[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pisani|first1=Sacha (24 September 2015)|title=Real Betis 1-2 Deportivo La Coruna: Van der Vaart debut not enough for hosts|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2015/09/24/15704462/real-betis-1-2-deportivo-la-coruna-van-der-vaart-debut-not|publisher=Goal|access-date=11 February 2016}}</ref> His performance turned out to be a fiasco.<ref>[https://www.prensalibre.com/deportes/futbol-internacional/van-der-vaart-fin-al-gran-fiasco-betico Van der Vaart, end of the great Betis fiasco]</ref> He finally left the club on 30 June 2016, accumulating just 296 minutes of playing time in the 2015–2016 season.<ref>[https://as.com/futbol/2018/06/08/primera/1528440238_630415.html Van der Vaart is finally no longer a problem for Betis]</ref>

===FC Midtjylland===
On 31 July 2016, Van der Vaart was spotted in a skybox at [[MCH Arena]] just outside [[Herning]] alongside agents Alan Hvedehave and [[Mikkel Beckmann]], both before and during the league game between [[Danish Superliga]] clubs [[FC Midtjylland]] and [[Silkeborg IF|Silkeborg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/superliga/fcm/ECE8884082/fc-midtjyllands-reserver-udspillede-silkeborg/|title=FCM-reserver udspillede Silkeborg|date=31 July 2016 }}</ref> Following the match, in a live interview with Danish [[Eurosport 2]], Midtjylland sporting director Claus Steinlein denied any ongoing negotiations, stating that Midtjylland would not be able to live up to Van der Vaart's economic demands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dplay.me/jw/proxy4.php?player=9GtHyOIQ&video=cFqbwyqP|title=Steinlein: FCM har ikke råd til Van der Vaart}}</ref> Just four days later, however, ahead of the [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League]] third round qualifying match against [[Videoton FC|Videoton]], Steinlein confirmed that the club was in fact trying to work out a deal with him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dplay.me/jw/proxy4.php?player=9GtHyOIQ&video=1ZASSO4C|title=FC Midtjylland og van der Vaart er stadig i dialog!}}</ref>

On 10 August, Van der Vaart joined Midtjylland on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcm.dk/nyheder/superliga/van-der-vaart-paa-plads-i-fcm|title=van der Vaart på plads i FCM|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209182906/https://www.fcm.dk/nyheder/superliga/van-der-vaart-paa-plads-i-fcm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Eighteen days later, he made his Superliga debut, as a substitute for [[Paul Onuachu]] in a 0–0 draw away to local rivals [[Viborg FF|Viborg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danskfodbold.com/kamp.php?ID=59169|title=danskfodbold.com - DBU's Officielle Statistikere}}</ref> Less than a month later, in his fourth appearance for his new side, he scored his first goal in a 5–2 win at home against promoted team [[AC Horsens|Horsens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danskfodbold.com/kamp.php?ID=59196|title=danskfodbold.com - DBU's Officielle Statistikere}}</ref> After coming in as a substitute in a match against [[Lyngby Boldklub|Lyngby]] on 28 May 2017 he was selected for only one of the first team's matches until 9 February 2018 where he was on the bench in a 2–0 win against Horsens.<ref>[http://danskfodbold.com/kamp.php?ID=60129 "danskfodbold.com - DBU's Officielle Statistikere"]. ''danskfodbold.com''.</ref> On 18 February 2018 Van der Vaart made his first appearance for the first team in the [[2017–18 Danish Superliga|2017–18]] season coming in as a substitute in the 90th minute.<ref>[http://danskfodbold.com/kamp.php?ID=60141 "danskfodbold.com - DBU's Officielle Statistikere"]. ''danskfodbold.com''.</ref> He told [[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]], "I wasn't selected for half a year. That's why this is a celebration for me. Not playing is awful."<ref>[https://nos.nl/artikel/2218158-van-der-vaart-na-half-jaar-weer-bij-selectie-wil-lekker-voetballen.html "Van der Vaart na half jaar weer bij selectie: wil lekker voetballen"]. ''nos.nl''.</ref>

=== Esbjerg ===
On 4 August 2018 it was made public that Van der Vaart had signed a one-year contract with [[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]] in the same league.<ref name="EfB henter van der Vaart - EfB"/> He had been training with them since his FC Midtjylland had ended.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/rafael-van-der-vaart-om-esbjerg-ikke-mange-penge-goere-godt-med|title=Rafael van der Vaart om Esbjerg: Ikke mange penge at gøre godt med|work=Tipsbladet.dk|access-date=2018-08-04}}</ref> He was presented to the fans at the [[Esbjerg Stadium]] before a league game against [[Randers FC|Randers]], which ended in a 3–3 draw.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.superliga.dk/kamp/2018-2019/august/esbjerg-fb-randers-fc|title=Esbjerg fB - Randers FC|date=2018-06-05|work=Superliga|access-date=2018-08-04|language=da}}</ref> On 4 November, having been struggling with recurring injuries, he announced he would retire from professional football with immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/2761407/van-der-vaart-zet-per-direct-punt-achter-carriere|title=Van der Vaart zet per direct punt achter carrière|date=4 November 2018|website=De Telegraaf}}</ref>

On 22 August 2019 Van der Vaart confirmed, that he would play a game for Esbjerg's reserves in the ninth tier of football in Denmark.<ref>[https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/rafael-van-der-vaart-tager-en-toern-i-serie-4/ Rafael van der Vaart tager en tørn i Serie 4], bold.dk, 22 August 2019</ref> Due to his relationship with handball player [[Estavana Polman]], he was still living in [[Esbjerg]], as she was playing for [[Team Esbjerg]].{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

==International career==
[[File:Van der Vaart Oranje.jpg|thumb|upright|Van der Vaart with Oranje.]]
Van der Vaart gained the notice of the youth team coaches and was called up for the youth squads. He played in the [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship]] with present senior teammates [[Maarten Stekelenburg]] and [[John Heitinga]] and former Real Madrid teammates Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben.

The 18-year-old Van der Vaart then made his senior international debut against [[Andorra national football team|Andorra]] on 6 October 2001.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Fact file
 |url         = http://www.vandervaartofficial.com/en/fact_file.asp
 |publisher   = Van der Vaart Official
 |access-date  = 7 August 2008
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080808012253/http://www.vandervaartofficial.com/en/fact_file.asp
 |archive-date = 8 August 2008
}}</ref> He was a member of the squads that participated in [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]], [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]], the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] and the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]]. Despite figuring prominently in a number of qualifying stage matches, Van der Vaart has had a lack of luck when it came to the final tournament. He was however, vice-captain during the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] behind [[Giovanni van Bronckhorst]] and [[Mark van Bommel]] respectively. On 15 August 2012, Van der Vaart earned his 100th cap for the Netherlands in the 2–4 loss against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in a [[friendly match]].

Van der Vaart was used to wear the number 23 or 10 jersey while playing for his country.

===Euro 2004===
A sub-par performance by the Dutch during their opening game of Euro 2004 persuaded then manager [[Dick Advocaat]] to change the side's formation into one which he felt the talented Van der Vaart did not fit into. With Advocaat's new system seemingly working, Van der Vaart would be reduced to play a bit-part role at Euro 2004, as ''[[Netherlands national football team|Oranje]]'' reached the semi-finals before losing to hosts [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].

===2006 World Cup===
Despite that setback, Van der Vaart produced some superlative performances in the [[2005–06 Bundesliga|Bundesliga]] the following season, and it seemed that Van der Vaart's turn to shine on the big stage was to finally come – at the 2006 World Cup. However, niggling injury problems resurfaced, and Van der Vaart was not risked by Dutch coach [[Marco van Basten]] for the opening World Cup encounter against [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]]. With victory in that opening game, the national team coach would once again decide to continue fielding a "Van der Vaart-less" lineup. And once again, Van der Vaart was reduced to a bit-part role in the squad as they exited the competition in the round of 16 against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].

===Euro 2008===
[[File:Rafael van der Vaart Holland.jpg|thumb|Van der Vaart playing for the Netherlands]]
Van der Vaart was called up for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]] despite missing several qualification matches due to an ankle injury. As Van Basten had decided to change their formation to 4–2–3–1, Van der Vaart was deployed in the midfield along with Wesley Sneijder and either [[Dirk Kuyt]] or [[Robin van Persie]], behind lone striker [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]] to great effect. In the opening game of the competition, the Dutch team won 3–0 against the world champions [[Italy national football team|Italy]] with Van der Vaart playing a role in the build-ups. Van Basten decided to field him again in the starting line-up in the next match against [[France national football team|France]]; the ''Oranje'' later went on to win 4–1. Despite an impressive group stage performance, the Dutch suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit at the hands of [[Russia national football team|Russia]].
[[File:Sneijder VDV.jpg|thumb|Van der Vaart (right) with [[Wesley Sneijder]].]]

===2010 World Cup===
Despite enduring a tough time at club level,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFP: Battler Van der Vaart out of Real shadows |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jlD8z-ewcG54rIwdeNIZfeK69GVg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707095213/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jlD8z-ewcG54rIwdeNIZfeK69GVg |archive-date=2010-07-07 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.google.com}}</ref> Van der Vaart remained a first-choice player for Van Basten's successor [[Bert van Marwijk]] in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying|2010 World Cup qualifiers]]. On 10 September 2008, he ended a ten-month goal drought with a vital strike against [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]] in a 2–1 win.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Dutch start with victory in Macedonia |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=877237.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912010525/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=877237.html |archive-date=2008-09-12 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref> He ended the campaign with 2 goals and several important assists. On 12 August 2009, Van der Vaart captained the Dutch in the absence of [[Giovanni van Bronckhorst]] in a friendly against [[England national football team|England]]. He scored the second goal off a [[Gareth Barry]] mistake to put the Netherlands two goals up in the first half but [[Jermain Defoe]] netted a brace to seal a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Rob |date=2009-08-12 |title=Holland v England - as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/12/holland-england-live-report |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Van der Vaart was in the starting line-up for the three group matches in the 2010 World Cup, against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061478/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617201952/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061478/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2010 |title=Netherlands-Denmark |publisher=FIFA |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=16 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Double Dutch Sinks Denmark - Australian FourFourTwo |url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/168814,double-dutch-sinks-denmark.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626091224/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/168814,double-dutch-sinks-denmark.aspx |archive-date=26 June 2010 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=au.fourfourtwo.com |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Japan national football team|Japan]]<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-06-19-780884037_x.htm Netherlands and Japan name unchanged teams] USA Today, 19 June 2010</ref> and [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Soccer: Netherlands beat Cameroon for Slovakia showdown - FIFA World Cup - NZ Herald News |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/fifa-world-cup/news/article.cfm?c_id=524&objectid=10654304&pnum=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224032957/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/fifa-world-cup/news/article.cfm?c_id=524&objectid=10654304&pnum=2 |archive-date=24 December 2016 |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=The New Zealand Herald |url-status=live }}</ref> but eventually lost his spot in the starting line-up to his recently recovered fellow midfielder Arjen Robben after being substituted in the match against Cameroon.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Robben makes first start for Dutch |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49713020100628 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108063710/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49713020100628 |archive-date=2016-01-08 |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=Reuters India |language=en-IN}}</ref> He was brought off the pitch after giving away a penalty to Cameroon by blocking the ball with his arm from a free-kick.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Persie scores as Dutch win and top Group F |url=http://www.sify.com/news/van-persie-scores-as-dutch-win-and-top-group-f-news-international-kgzckdachad.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811163744/http://www.sify.com/news/van-persie-scores-as-dutch-win-and-top-group-f-news-international-kgzckdachad.html |archive-date=2011-08-11 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.sify.com}}</ref> However, he made another appearance in the semi-final against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], after coming on for the injured [[Demy de Zeeuw]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=20minutos |date=2010-07-06 |title=Holanda acaba con Uruguay en semifinales al ritmo de Sneijder y Robben (2-3) |trans-title=The Netherlands eliminates Uruguay in the semifinals, led by Sneijder and Robben (2-3). |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/holanda-uruguay-semifinal-758146/0/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias |language=es}}</ref> He helped ''Oranje'' win the match 3–2, thus sending them to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|final]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dutch reach World Cup final after 3-2 defeat of Uruguay |url=http://sify.com/news/dutch-reach-world-cup-final-after-3-2-defeat-of-uruguay-news-international-khhdadcaaba.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709182038/http://sify.com/news/dutch-reach-world-cup-final-after-3-2-defeat-of-uruguay-news-international-khhdadcaaba.html |archive-date=2010-07-09 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=sify.com}}</ref> He also played in the final against Spain, substituting [[Nigel de Jong]] just before injury time. Netherlands lost the game 1–0 to a goal from [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netherlands 0-1 Spain (aet) |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_64/default.stm |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He was handed the captain's armband during the match, after Giovanni van Bronckhorst was substituted off.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marcus |first=Jeffrey |date=2010-07-12 |title=For Dutch Captain, a Long Career Closes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/sports/soccer/12cupside.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===Euro 2012===
Van der Vaart made his Euro 2012 debut as a sub in the first match against Denmark – a match they went on to lose. In the second match against [[Germany national football team|Germany]], again he was a substitute, but came on for Dutch captain Mark van Bommel and took the captain's armband. In the second half he created more attacking chances, which led to a goal, but they again lost the match. In the final group match against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], Van der Vaart started as captain, and scored a goal that gave the Netherlands a glimmer of hope to get out of the group. However, two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a 2–1 win and knocked out the Netherlands.

===2014 World Cup===
Van der Vaart was named in [[Louis van Gaal]]'s provisional 30-man squad for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]], but withdrew on 28 May, three days before the final squad was named, due to a calf injury that he suffered in training.<ref>{{cite news|title=World Cup 2014: Rafael van der Vaart out of tournament with injury|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27402627|access-date=28 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 May 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On 10 June 2005, Van der Vaart married [[Sylvie Meis]] and on 28 May 2006, their son Damián Rafael was born. Some of the media have described the couple as the "new Beckhams" but both of them denied the claims saying that they prefer to just live a normal life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sylvie and Rafael |url=http://vandervaartofficial.com/en/fobazo_exclusives.asp?AjrPage=5&AjrDcmntId=6040&bandw=high |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808022421/http://vandervaartofficial.com/en/fobazo_exclusives.asp?AjrPage=5&AjrDcmntId=6040&bandw=high |archive-date=2022-08-08 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=vandervaartofficial.com |language=en}}</ref>

In the summer of 2009, Real Madrid wanted to sell Van der Vaart, but the player decided to stay in [[Madrid]] because his wife was undergoing cancer treatment there.<ref name="fourfourtwo1">{{cite web |url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/182316,wifes-cancer-kept-van-der-vaart-in-madrid.aspx |title=Wife's Cancer Kept Van Der Vaart in Madrid |publisher=Australian FourFourTwo |date=4 September 2010 |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=7 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907032731/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/182316,wifes-cancer-kept-van-der-vaart-in-madrid.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> A year later, upon his move to England, Van der Vaart stated, "She had a very serious illness and it is true that she had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron. Last season, they wanted me to leave but I couldn't leave for that reason. Now she is well and the only thing that happened was that Madrid wanted to sell and I wanted to get back to enjoying playing football, and Tottenham are a great team that are going to give me the football opportunities that I need."<ref name="fourfourtwo1"/>

In 2010, Van der Vaart found out through emails that his wife was having an affair with a KLM airline pilot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://footyblast.com/2013/12/06/van-der-vaart-divorce-drama-continues/|title=FOOTYBLAST – Van Der Vaart Divorce Drama Continues}}</ref> On New Year's Eve 2012, Van der Vaart and his wife separated. Their son Damián signed for the youth team of [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web|website=LiveScore.com|url=https://www.livescore.com/en/news/ajax-sign-rafael-van-der-vaarts-teenage-son-damian-on-one-year-deal-2023090616293765331/|date=7 September 2023|title=Ajax sign Rafael Van Der Vaart's Teenage Son Damian on One Year Deal}}</ref>

Since August 2016, Van der Vaart has been in a relationship with Dutch [[handball]] player [[Estavana Polman]]<ref>{{cite web |date=26 March 2016 |title=Derfor er Rafael van der Vaart i Esbjerg |trans-title=That's why Rafael van der Vaart is in Esbjerg. |url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/haandbold/derfor-er-rafael-van-der-vaart-i-esbjerg/6012260}}</ref> who played for Danish club [[Team Esbjerg]]. This was the main reason he moved to Denmark and chose to play for Midtjylland. On 27 December 2016, they announced that they were expecting a child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Estavana Polman and Rafael van der Vaart expected child |url=http://hoholok.com/estavana-polman-and-rafael-van-der-vaart-expected-child |access-date=2025-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228123759/http://hoholok.com/estavana-polman-and-rafael-van-der-vaart-expected-child/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 |website=hoholok.com |url-status=usurped }}</ref>{{unreliable source inline|date=July 2025}} Their daughter Jesslynn was born in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mediengruppe |first=FUNKE |date=2017-06-27 |title=Rafael van der Vaart präsentiert der Welt sein Baby |trans-title=Rafael van der Vaart presents his baby to the world. |url=https://www.abendblatt.de/vermischtes/promi-news/article211052223/Rafael-van-der-Vaart-praesentiert-der-Welt-sein-Baby.html |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.abendblatt.de |language=de}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On 10 August 2021, Van der Vaart was hired in his first coaching role as an assistant coach to [[Peter Hyballa]] at his former club [[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-10 |title=EfB tilknytter Rafael van der Vaart |trans-title=EfB signs Rafael van der Vaart. |url=https://efb.dk/efb-tilknytter-rafael-van-der-vaart/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=EfB.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> Van der Vaart had lived in [[Esbjerg]] for the past five years due to his relationship with handball player [[Estavana Polman]], who was playing for [[Team Esbjerg]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hollandsk stjerne bliver to år mere i Esbjerg |trans-title=Dutch star stays two more years in Esbjerg. |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/hollandsk-stjerne-bliver-to-aar-mere-i-esbjerg |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=tvSyd |language=da}}</ref> On 27 January 2023 the club confirmed, that Van der Vaart's contract had been terminated by mutual agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=EfB og van der Vaart går hver til sit |trans-title=EfB and Van der Vaart go their separate ways. |url=https://efb.dk/efb-og-van-der-vaart-gaar-hver-til-sit/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=EfB.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> 

==Darts career==
In April 2019, Van der Vaart began a professional darts career, joining the [[British Darts Organisation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/47969274|title=Rafael van der Vaart: Former Tottenham midfielder to make darts debut|date=17 April 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref> On 4 May, Van der Vaart made his debut at the [[Denmark Open (darts)|Denmark Open]], winning his first round match 4–2 against Thomas Anderson before being knocked out in the second round 4–0 by Mogens Christensen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3842316/rafael-van-der-vaart-wins-first-ever-professional-darts-match-at-denmark-open|title=Rafael van der Vaart wins first-ever professional darts match at Denmark Open|date=4 May 2019|website=espn.co.uk|access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe14444/rafael-van-der-vaart/club-matches/ |title=Rafael van der Vaart.:. Club matches |access-date=12 April 2011 |publisher=WorldFootball.net }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=47516/profile/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316205914/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=47516/profile/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 March 2010 |title=Rafael van der Vaart |access-date=12 April 2011 |publisher=[[UEFA|The Union of European Football Associations]] }}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[KNVB Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[FA Cup]], [[Danish Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[DFL-Ligapokal]], [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| class="nowrap"|[[1999–2000 AFC Ajax season|1999–2000]]
|[[Eredivisie]]
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
|[[2000–01 AFC Ajax season|2000–01]]
|Eredivisie
|27||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=UC}}||2||colspan="2"|—||32||9
|-
|[[2001–02 AFC Ajax season|2001–02]]
|Eredivisie
|20||14||2||2||colspan="2"|—||5||1||colspan="2"|—||27||17
|-
|[[2002–03 AFC Ajax season|2002–03]]
|Eredivisie
|21||18||2||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]}}||2||30||22
|-
|[[2003–04 AFC Ajax season|2003–04]]
|Eredivisie
|26||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||34||8
|-
|[[2004–05 AFC Ajax season|2004–05]]
|Eredivisie
|22||6||2||0||colspan="2"|—||7||1||1{{efn|name=JCS}}||0||32||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!117!!52!!8!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!29!!7!!2!!2!!156!!63
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Hamburger SV]]
|[[2005–06 Hamburger SV season|2005–06]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|19||9||2||0||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||5||7||2||36||16
|-
|[[2006–07 Hamburger SV season|2006–07]]
|Bundesliga
|26||8||0||0||2||0||5{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||3||colspan="2"|—||33||11
|-
|[[2007–08 Hamburger SV season|2007–08]]
|Bundesliga
|29||12||4||4||colspan="2"|—||9||3||2||2||44||21
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!74!!29!!6!!4!!2!!0!!22!!11!!9!!4!!113!!48
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
|[[2008–09 Real Madrid CF season|2008–09]]
|[[La Liga]]
|32||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||0||42||5
|-
|[[2009–10 Real Madrid CF season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|26||6||2||1||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||31||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!58!!11!!3!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!0!!2!!0!!73!!12
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2010–11 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2010–11]]
|[[Premier League]]
|28||13||1||0||0||0||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||colspan="2"|—||36||15
|-
|[[2011–12 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|33||11||4||1||1||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||39||13
|-
|[[2012–13 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!63!!24!!5!!1!!1!!0!!8!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!77!!28
|-
|rowspan="4"|Hamburger SV
|[[2012–13 Hamburger SV season|2012–13]]
|Bundesliga
|27||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||27||5
|-
|[[2013–14 Hamburger SV season|2013–14]]
|Bundesliga
|27||7||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=BPO|Appearances in Bundesliga relegation play-offs}}||0||32||8
|-
|[[2014–15 Hamburger SV season|2014–15]]
|Bundesliga
|24||4||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=BPO}}||0||27||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!78!!16!!5!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!3!!0!!86!!18
|-
|[[Real Betis]]
|[[2015–16 Real Betis season|2015–16]]
|La Liga
|7||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Midtjylland|Midtjylland]]
|[[2016–17 Danish Superliga|2016–17]]
|[[Danish Superliga]]
|15||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||18||2
|-
|[[2017–18 Danish Superliga|2017–18]]
|Danish Superliga
|2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!17!!2!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!20!!2
|-
|[[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]]
|[[2018–19 Danish Superliga|2018–19]]
|Danish Superliga
|3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!417!!135!!32!!10!!3!!0!!70!!21!!16!!6!!538!!171
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|4654|name=Rafael van der Vaart|accessdate=18 October 2010}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
|2001||1||0
|-
|2002||2||0
|-
|2003||10||3
|-
|2004||13||1
|-
|2005||9||2
|-
|2006||5||1
|-
|2007||10||5
|-
|2008||14||1
|-
|2009||10||2
|-
|2010||14||1
|-
|2011||5||1
|-
|2012||10||4
|-
|2013||6||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!109!!25
|}

:''Scores and results list Netherlands's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each van der Vaart goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Rafael van der Vaart<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/vdvaart-intl.html | title = Rafael van der Vaart - Century of International Appearances | first = Karel | last = Stokkermans | date = 11 September 2019 | access-date = 16 September 2019 | website = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| style="text-align:center"|1 || 6 September 2003 || [[De Kuip]], [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands || {{fb|AUT}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 3|UEFA Euro 2004 qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|2 || 10 September 2003 || [[Generali Arena|Toyota Arena]], [[Prague]], Czech Republic || {{fb|CZE}} || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || style="text-align:center"|1–3 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|3 || 11 October 2003 || [[Philips Stadion]], [[Eindhoven]], Netherlands || {{fb|MDA}} || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || style="text-align:center"|5–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|4 || 1 June 2004 || [[Stade olympique de la Pontaise|Olympique de la Pontaise]], [[Lausanne]], Switzerland || {{fb|FRO}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|5 || 7 September 2005 || Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands || {{fb|AND}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|6 || 8 October 2005 || Toyota Arena, Prague, Czech Republic || {{fb|CZE}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|7 || 15 November 2006 || [[Amsterdam Arena]], [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands || {{fb|ENG}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|8 || 7 February 2007 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|RUS}} || style="text-align:center"|4–1 || style="text-align:center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|9 || rowspan="2"|2 June 2007 || rowspan="2"|[[Seoul World Cup Stadium]], [[Seoul]], South Korea || rowspan="2"|{{fb|KOR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|10 || align="center"|2–0 
|-
| style="text-align:center"|11 || 6 June 2007 || [[Rajamangala Stadium]], [[Bangkok]], Thailand || {{fb|THA}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|12 || 21 November 2007 || [[Dinamo Stadium (Minsk)|Dinamo Stadium]], [[Minsk]], Belarus || {{fb|BLR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group G|UEFA Euro 2008 qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|13 || 10 September 2008 || [[Philip II Arena]], [[Skopje]], Republic of Macedonia || {{fb|MKD}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 9|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|14 || 1 April 2009 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|MKD}} || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|15 || 12 August 2009 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|ENG}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|16 || 1 June 2010 || De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|GHA}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|17 || 25 March 2011 || [[Ferenc Puskás Stadium (1953)|Ferenc Puskás Stadium]], [[Budapest]], Hungary || {{fb|HUN}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group E|UEFA Euro 2012 qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|18 || 30 May 2012 || De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|SVK}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|19 || 17 June 2012 || [[Metalist Oblast Sports Complex|Metalist Stadium]], [[Kharkiv]], Ukraine || {{fb|POR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || [[UEFA Euro 2012 Group B|UEFA Euro 2012]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|20 || 12 October 2012 || De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|AND}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|21 || 16 October 2012 || [[Arena Națională]], [[Bucharest]], Romania || {{fb|ROM}} || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || style="text-align:center"|4–1 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|22 || 22 March 2013 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|EST}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|23 || 26 March 2013 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|ROM}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–0 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|24 || 11 October 2013 || Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands || {{fb|HUN}} || style="text-align:center"|7–1 || style="text-align:center"|8–1 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|25 || 16 November 2013 || [[Luminus Arena|Cristal Arena]], [[Genk]], Belgium || {{fb|JPN}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || Friendly
|-
|}

=== Managerial ===
{{Updated|match played 30 June 2022}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure 
|-
!rowspan=2| Team
!rowspan=2| Nat
!rowspan=2| From
!rowspan=2| To
!colspan=8| Record
|-
!{{Tooltip| G| Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip| W| Wins}}
!{{Tooltip| D| Draws}}
!{{Tooltip| L| Losses}}
!{{Tooltip| GF| Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip| GA| Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip| GD| Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip| Win %| Winning percentage}}
|-
| [[Esbjerg fB|Esbjerg]] (interim)
|{{flagicon|Denmark}}
| 9 March 2022
| 30 June 2022
{{WDL|6|0|4|2|for=5|against=8|diff=yes}}
|-
! colspan=4| Career total
{{WDLtot|6|0|4|2|for=5|against=8|diff=yes}}
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Van der Vaart Real Madrid celebration 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=0.54|Van der Vaart won the Spanish Super Cup while at [[Real Madrid]]]]
[[File:Poster afscheidswedstrijd Rafael van der Vaart bij voetbalclub Hamburger SV. Hamburg.jpg|thumb|Posters farewell match Rafael van der Vaart at football club Hamburger SV. Hamburg]]

'''Ajax'''<ref name = "honours">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rafael-ferdinand-van-der-vaart/41/|title=Rafael van der Vaart - Career Honours |publisher=Soccerway}}</ref>
*[[Eredivisie]]: [[2001–02 Eredivisie|2001–02]], [[2003–04 Eredivisie|2003–04]]
*[[KNVB Cup]]: [[2001–02 KNVB Cup|2001–02]]
*[[Johan Cruyff Shield]]: [[2002 Johan Cruyff Shield|2002]]

'''Hamburger SV'''<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2005]], [[2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2007]]

'''Real Madrid'''<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[2008 Supercopa de España|2008]]

'''FC Midtjylland'''<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[Danish Superliga]]: [[2017–18 Danish Superliga|2017–18]]

'''Netherlands'''<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[FIFA World Cup]] runner-up: [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]

'''Individual'''
*[[List of AFC Ajax records and statistics#AFC Ajax prize winners|Ajax Talent of the Future (Sjaak Swart Award)]] [[1999–2000 AFC Ajax season|1999–2000]]
*Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award): [[2000–01 AFC Ajax season|2000–01]]
*Ajax Player of the Year (Rinus Michels Award): [[2001–02 AFC Ajax season|2001–02]]
*[[Amsterdam Sportsman of the year|Amsterdam Talent of the Year]]: 2000
*[[Amsterdam Sportsman of the year]]: 2001
*[[Amsterdam Tournament]] Most Valuable Player: 2001
*[[Dutch Footballer of the Year|Dutch Football Talent of the Year]]: 2001
*European Talent of the Year: 2002
*[[Golden Boy (award)|Golden Boy]]: 2003
*[[Bundesliga]] Player of the Month: September 2005
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2010–11 Premier League#Monthly awards|October 2010]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4192/Rafael-van-der-Vaart/overview |title=Rafael van der Vaart: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 September 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|List of footballers with 100 or more caps]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/legends/rafael-van-der-vaart/ Profile] at the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. website
* [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/6978 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{Worldfootball.net|rafael-van-der-vaart|new_id=pe14444}}
<!--* {{Wereld van Oranje|476}}-->
* {{Soccerbase}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Netherlands squads
| bg = #F1771D
| fg = white
| bordercolor = blue
| list1 = 
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{Netherlands squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{Netherlands squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{AFC Ajax Talent of the Future}}
{{AFC Ajax Talent of the Year}}
{{AFC Ajax Player of the Year}}
{{Dutch Football Talent of the Year}}
{{Golden Boy award winners}}
}}
{{Esbjerg fB managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaart, Rafael van der}}
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