From Writing Letters to Clubs as a Kid to Beating Ronaldo in a Semi-Final: The Story of Sai van Wermeskerken
Identity, resilience, and ambition. These values run through the story of Sai van Wermeskerken. From writing letters to Dutch clubs as a kid, to playing against Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest Asian stage, his path has been anything but typical. Growing up between Japan and the Netherlands gave him a unique perspective on life and football. But what drives him today? And how does he turn past struggles into strength for the future?
2 Cultures, 1 Personality
For Sai van Wermeskerken, growing up between Japan and the Netherlands meant navigating different values, expectations, and ways of expressing himself. From adapting to his father’s immigrant journey to writing letters to Dutch clubs as a young dreamer, Sai’s path has always been about perseverance.
You have a unique background, growing up in both Japan and the Netherlands. How have these two cultures shaped you?
Sai van Wermeskerken: “In the Netherlands, I realized that everyone is treated equally and you can just be yourself. In the Netherlands, it’s about who you are. In Japan, I was more focused on what others thought before deciding how to act. And in the Netherlands, I learned to voice my opinion and treat everyone as equals.”
Who are your biggest influences?
“When my father moved to Japan, he didn’t speak the language and didn’t have a steady job. He worked hard, and only saw us on weekends. When I moved to the Netherlands myself and noticed how accessible and open people are here, I realized how tough it must have been for my father. My parents’ experiences prepared me for the challenges of my own transition.”
As a child, you wrote letters to Dutch clubs asking if you could train with them. What motivated you to do that, and how did those experiences shape you?
“At NEC, I saw how professional everything was, but also how hard players fought for their spot-they wouldn’t pass me the ball because they saw me as competition, even though I was just a guest at the training.“
Sai van Wermeskerken has faced doubts, distance, and pressure, but he’s turned every obstacle into fuel. Whether it’s playing against Ronaldo and seeing him cry on the pitch or mentoring the next generation off it, his career is a testament to quiet perseverance and the power of belief.
Looking back, what moment during the AFC Champions League campaign stands out to you the most?
“The best moment of the whole tournament was winning that semi-final. Before the tournament, as a team, we kept saying: let’s make history. So when we did, it was a huge release of emotion. Maybe the most adrenaline I’ve ever felt. Reaching the final was historic, but it wasn’t the ultimate goal. It wasn’t the trophy. And playing in Saudi Arabia, it was completely one-sided, basically only Saudi fans in the stadium. We really wanted to show that we could rise above it and win anyway. I remember seeing Ronaldo cry, which left a mark on me. But we did it, we were the winners of that semi-final.”
When you think about your journey so far: from a boy in Dordrecht to making Cristiano Ronaldo cry in a semi-final. What are you most proud of, and what do you still hope to achieve?
“When I was young, our coach told us something that stuck with me: ‘If you become a professional but you don’t last more than 10 years, you’re not really a professional footballer.’ That sentence stayed with me. From the first day I became a professional I told myself: I want to reach 10 years. And now I’ve done it. I’m really proud of that. The next 10 years, I want to reach even higher. I want to prove that even if you weren’t seen as a top talent when you were young, if you keep going, work hard every day, you can still reach great things. I want to be an example of that, both now and for the next generation. And beyond football, I’ve been helped by so many people: friends, teammates, club staff. I want to give something back. Whether that’s mentoring younger players, supporting teams, or just sharing what I’ve learned. I want to be there for others too.”
Ready for More?
Read the full exclusive interview with Sai van Wermeskerken in our latest issue — Life After Football Magazine, Issue 85.
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