Davy Klaassen: Ajax’s Mister 1-0, Pianist, and walking with his dog rio.
At the start of this season, Davy Klaassen made his return to his beloved Ajax. As a free agent, he was able to join the team outside the official transfer window. Now, ‘Mister 1-0’ is fully back in form and well on his way to becoming champion once again. In an open interview, Davy and his wife Laura Benschop share insights into life beyond football: from his passion for playing the piano to their daily joys, and even an unrecognisable Davy spotted at the stadium.
Davy, have you ever thought about your life after football?
Davy Klaassen: “Yes, especially now that I’ve just turned 30. It’s definitely getting closer. I just don’t have one specific thing that I absolutely want to do yet.”
Laura Benschop: “I think something with kids!”
Davy: “Maybe in youth development. I’d like to give that a try, see how it goes and whether I even enjoy it. But not something like a daycare or anything, though.”
What kind of football watcher are you, Laura?
Laura: “I think it’s all really exciting. I don’t really understand the game, because I didn’t grow up with football. So I always have to ask him if he played well, because I just can’t tell. If he scores, I’ll think, ‘Oh nice, good match,’ but beyond that, I’ve no idea. I often get startled when he’s on the ground injured, then I’ll ask at home if he’s okay. Then he says, ‘Ah, it was nothing,’ haha!”
Davy: “Haha, I’m not exaggerating or anything! Sometimes it hurts a bit, but you just have to push through.”
Do you always know exactly where Laura is sitting in the stands?
Davy: “Well, it’s really hard to see. You can’t really look into the stands properly from the field.
Laura: “We have the same discussion every week. Every week I tell him again where I’m sitting.”
Don’t you make a heart gesture for Laura when you score?
Davy: “When I score, I don’t think about celebrating at all. So I can’t promise that. Once I’m in the game, I’m fully focused and not thinking about anything else.”
Laura: “By the way, I see a completely different Davy on the field than at home. From that person on the field, I don’t expect hearts, haha. On the field he’s super passionate about football, but at home he’s very calm, composed, and he cooks nice meals for me.”
Is Davy a good cook?
Laura: “That’s a whole story in itself! In the beginning, when I was doing my internship, I’d come home to a delicious meal every day. That’s changed over the years. We started eating out more often or ordering healthy food, but recently Davy said he wants to get back into cooking.”
Davy: “I do enjoy cooking, but I need to have the time for it. I don’t like cooking in a rush. I want to do it at my own pace.”
What’s your daily happy moment?
Laura and Davy together: “Taking a walk with Rio.”
Laura: “Haha yeah, just a nice walk, grabbing a coffee, and if we’re lucky, catching some sunshine.”
Davy: “We also have a cargo bike now. We put Rio in the front, Laura hops on the back, and we bike somewhere, have something to eat, and ride back home. It’s lovely!”
Do you have any other fun hobbies?
Davy: “For Laura, I think it’s doing hair. Even outside of work, she’s often styling someone’s hair. Besides that, we enjoy spending time with friends, and I love playing piano.
Do you have a piano at home?
Davy: “A grand piano, even! It fits nicely with the interior, so that’s perfect. A teammate of mine at Werder Bremen played piano. I once heard him playing in a restaurant and that inspired me to start learning. I took lessons from his teacher, which went well. When I moved back to Amsterdam, I found a great piano teacher here too, a guy my age who lets me choose what I want to play and gives me great tips.”
