Boudewijn Zenden pure pro

Today Boudewijn Zenden celebrates his 37th birthday. The globetrotter from Maastricht has a wonderful career behind him, playing exclusively at big, appealing clubs. His remarkable journey along the European top clubs starts with PSV.

Zenden is initially "Pierre's son," known from television where the gym owner covers judo. Boudewijn has made his own name after more than twenty years of top football. He is an assistant coach at Chelsea, one of his old clubs.

Judo and football
Boudewijn - Bolo - Zenden grows up playing judo. He is learning what top sports are all about. Zenden is a small, fierce guy and is a good judo player, holding 1st Dan black belt. It's a good foundation for playing football. Judo has shaped him physically and mentally, Boudewijn said. It brought the left-winger via MVV to PSV, where he won the KNVB cup, two Johan Cruijff Schalen and was named Talent of the Year in 1997.

Big clubs
With Ronaldo and Nilis in attack at PSV, things are getting tough for Bolo. He left for Barcelona and went on to play at Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Liverpool (Champions League final), Olympique Marseille and Sunderland. With Oranje (54 international matches, seven goals) he played at the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 and 2004 European Championships. As Rafael Benítez's assistant coach at Chelsea, he wins this year's Europa League. This season, Zenden is on an internship with PSV U21.