Ron Vlaar

Youth

In Hensbroek, Vlaar joined local club Apollo '68 at the age of six. Apollo '68 youth coach Kees Wijte was quickly convinced: "But when Ron was five, he was already allowed to train with us. You could already see how good he was. Ron had a powerful kick with both his left and right leg, and a very good one as well. Besides, he had a fantastic mentality. Ron always wanted to win and become better." When Vlaar went to his final year in elementary school, he left Apollo '68. The youngster wanted to play on a higher level and joined SVW '27 from Heerhugowaard. At his new club, Vlaar's development went well above expectation. After playing for SVW '27 for one season, he was invited to join the AZ youth academy, a professional side playing in the Eerste Divisie. In 2002, Vlaar signed his first youth contract with the club, keeping him in Alkmaar until summer 2007. Having initially started out in the attacking midfield position, Vlaar began playing in the defender position after "being told by his coach that he could be better focus in the back".

AZ Alkmaar

Halfway towards the end of the 2004–05 season, Vlaar made his unexpected Eredivisie debut at the age of 20 because due to suspensions within the first-team squad at the end of the season, he was paired up with the experienced centre back Barry Opdam on 23 April 2005 in the away match against RKC Waalwijk, as AZ lost 2–1. Five days later, on 28 April 2005, Vlaar made his European debut when he was part of…

Youth

Having represented Netherlands U19, Vlaar was called up to the Netherlands U20 team for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in the Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. Vlaar, reserve captain behind Hedwiges Maduro, was an important player in the Dutch team and was active in every match the team played on the tournament. Netherlands U20 had a smooth run through the group stage, winning their three matches respectively easy against Japan U20 (2–1), Australia U20 (3–0) and Benin U20 (1–0). After beating Chile U20 (3–0) in the next round, the Netherlands U20 reached the quarter-finals against later finalist Nigeria U20, which they lost 10–9 on penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw at Extra time. Despite Vlaar's equalizing goal and successful penalty kick, the Netherlands U20 didn't advance to the next stage. In May 2006, Vlaar was called up to the Netherlands U21 for the first time. He made his debut for the U21 national team against Germany U21, starting a match and playing 45 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–2 draw on 17 May 2006. Vlaar was part of the Netherlands U21 on the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Dutch side claimed the trophy for the first time in history. Besides being an unused substitute in a 1–1 draw against Denmark U21 in the group match, he played in every match on the tournament. Jong Oranje started and finished their campaign against Ukraine U21, going out on a high with a 3–0 win in the final,…

Vlaar was born in Hensbroek, North Holland. His mother, Margaret, was a handball player, while his father was an amateur football player. Vlaar has two younger sisters, Ellen and Lisan, who are both active in sports as well. Ellen is a gymnast and Lisan plays volleyball.

Vlaar was married to Stephanie in 2010 and has two children. He has a tattoo name of his two children across his chest. However, in 2011, Vlaar and his wife divorced, just months after his wife gave birth to his second child. In March 2011, Vlaar and his then teammate Luc Castaignos took part in a spinning marathon for the charity, Stichting Luna Sluiter Foundation. In addition to speaking Dutch, he speaks English. It was reported in December 2011 that Vlaar was reported in the Netherlands media, allegeding taking part in a poker game with referee Serdar Gözübüyük. In response, he denied such claims, saying: "It is absolute nonsense. I find it very annoying that it is suggested that poker is being played for big money at my home, poker at all, because that is simply not the case. As the research also showed, nothing came out. I find it very annoying that I get into the news that way and that makes me very disappointed." Outside of football, Vlaar said he plays snooker in his spare time. Vlaar is good friends with Karim El Ahmadi, which they were first teammates at Feyenoord and then Aston Villa, and helped each other settle in England. Following his retirement from professional football, Vlaar said he wanted to do coaching.