Huntelaar had a bright start to his footballing career. Named Dutch Football Talent of the Year and Ajax “Player of the Year” in 2006, he was part of the Dutch side that won the 2006 UEFA U-21 Championship, he became the leading goal scorer of the tournament.
At U21 level, Hutelaar holds the record with a deadly strike rate of 18 goals in 22 appearances. With a glittering career of the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid, Huntelaar boasts a footballing career of playing for the greatest teams. Although we did not see the real Huntelaar at the Santiago Bernabéu or the San Siro respectivley, it was with Schalke 04 where he began to realease the early potential he showed with the Dutch Youth Team.
He ended the season with 29 league goals from 34 appearnaces, as well as 48 goals in all competitions. An outstanding record for a player, whois the first Dutchman to earn top scorer record in the Bundesliga.
Whether it was the big names of AC Milan & Real Madrid that knocked the confidence of Huntelaar's ability, it was with Schalke 04 that he has proven to the world what type of player he is.
As well as boasting a phenomenal record of 33 goals in 58 appearnaces for the Dutch National Team, Huntelaar has finally set in a team where he may realise his own potential. Huntelaar was the top goal scorer in the UEFA EURO 2012 Qualiftiers, with twelve goals. With 33 goals to his name, Huntelaar is 7 short of equalling the all time goal record with the Dutch team, with Patrick Kluivert's all time record of 40 goals still up there.
Huntelaar cost Schalke 04 a total of 12,000,000 euro. If he carries on his prolific form in front of goal at the Veltins-Arena, he could be well on his way to setting eve more records for the Dutch in the Bundesliga.
Source: DSG
