BOLASPORT.COM – Shane Kluivert, the youngest son of legendary striker Patrick Kluivert, has decisively closed the door on representing the Spanish national team, opting instead to pledge his international future to the Netherlands.
Born in the Netherlands, his father’s homeland, Shane Kluivert has, perhaps surprisingly, spent a more significant portion of his life residing in Spain. Since 2017, the promising talent has been honing his skills within the esteemed confines of Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, a pathway that naturally presented him with the opportunity to play for Spain at the youth level.
However, the 18-year-old forward has consciously turned down the chance to bolster La Furia Roja, firmly stating his commitment to the Oranje jersey. This pivotal decision, as Shane explains, is deeply rooted in his heart and his identity as a true son of the “Land of Windmills.” His dedication to the Dutch cause is already evident, having proudly made six appearances for the Netherlands U-16 national team.
“Playing for Spain? I’ve already said no to my friends,” Shane revealed in an interview quoted by BolaPSort.com from Tuttomercato. “The Netherlands is in my heart, and I’m happy to play for them. This is my country.” He further elaborated on his complex feelings, acknowledging his unique upbringing: “I don’t feel 100 percent Dutch, I’ve lived here (Spain) longer than in the Netherlands. I feel a little bit Spanish,” he concluded, highlighting the nuanced emotional ties influencing his choice.
Shane Kluivert is driven by the ambition to emulate the illustrious career of his father, Patrick, who carved out a lasting legacy as a Dutch legend. The former Indonesia national team coach boasted an impressive international record of 79 appearances and 40 goals for his country. Beyond his father, Shane also aspires to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Justin Kluivert.
Justin’s journey with the Netherlands national team began with the U-17 squad, and he has since progressed to become a part of the senior setup, accumulating 10 caps for the main Dutch team. At the club level, Justin currently serves as a key player for English Premier League side Bournemouth, where he has registered seven appearances and scored one goal for The Cherries across all competitions in the 2025-2026 season.
Summary
Shane Kluivert, the youngest son of legendary striker Patrick Kluivert, has decisively chosen to represent the Netherlands internationally, despite having lived in Spain since 2017 and developing in Barcelona’s La Masia academy. The 18-year-old forward has already made six appearances for the Netherlands U-16 squad, affirming that the Netherlands is “in my heart” even as he acknowledges a complex emotional connection to Spain due to his upbringing.
Kluivert aims to emulate the illustrious careers of his father, Patrick, a Dutch legend, and his older brother, Justin Kluivert. Justin has progressed through the Dutch youth ranks to earn 10 caps for the senior national team and currently plays for Bournemouth in the Premier League, setting a path Shane hopes to follow.
