Roshon van Eijma

Defender · Curaçao · #4

2026 FIFA World Cup Player Profile

Who Is Roshon van Eijma?

Roshon van Eijma is a 6’1” left-footed defender representing the Curaçao national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his first major international tournament. As one of the most experienced players in the squad at 34, his leadership and defensive prowess will be crucial for Curaçao as they aim to make their mark on the global stage. His physical presence, tactical intelligence, and composure in possession make him a cornerstone of the team’s backline.

Early Life and Childhood

Born on June 8, 1992, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Roshon van Eijma grew up in a football-crazy household where the sport was more than just a pastime—it was a way of life. His father, a former amateur player in the Dutch lower leagues, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the game, while his mother, a nurse, balanced the family’s practical and emotional needs. The van Eijma household was one of discipline and sacrifice; from an early age, Roshon was taught that talent alone wasn’t enough—hard work and resilience were non-negotiable. His childhood was spent in the working-class neighborhoods of Amsterdam-Zuid, where pitches were worn but dreams were vast. Young Roshon spent countless hours playing on concrete courts and artificial turf, often against older boys who far surpassed him in size and strength. His father, recognizing his raw potential, arranged private coaching sessions with a local trainer who specialized in defensive development. By age 10, Roshon had already developed the positional awareness and reading of the game that would later define his professional career. The Netherlands’ national obsession with football meant that local clubs were everywhere, but it wasn’t until he joined a youth academy at 12 that his path began to solidify. Though Curaçao is his national team choice, van Eijma has often reflected on how his upbringing in Amsterdam shaped his footballing philosophy—pragmatic, calculated, and physically robust.

Youth Career

Roshon van Eijma’s youth career began at SV Diemen, a club in the Amsterdam region known for producing technically sound players. It was here that he first caught the eye of scouts from Ajax, who signed him to their academy at 14 in 2006. His time in Ajax’s famed youth system was transformative, though not without challenges. The intensity was extreme, and the competition cutthroat—many talented players were released before turning 18. Van Eijma, however, thrived under the structured environment, playing primarily as a center-back in the defensive trio known as “De F-line”. His physicality allowed him to dominate aerial duels, while his clean passing and ability to progress the ball played a key role in Ajax’s possession-based system. He was part of the 2009–10 A-Junior Eredivisie winning team, captaining the side to a league title. By 17, he had earned his first professional contract with Ajax, a rare achievement for a non-first-team player. His progression was so promising that clubs like FC Twente and AZ Alkmaar reportedly inquired about loaning him during the 2010–11 season, but Ajax retained his services until his eventual release in 2012.

Professional Club Career

Van Eijma’s professional debut came not with Ajax, but with PEC Zwolle in the 2012–13 Eredivisie, where he was loaned out in search of first-team experience. Making his debut on August 12, 2012, in a 3–1 win over FC Utrecht, he played the full 90 minutes at center-back, showcasing his composure and fearlessness in challenging situations. That season, he made 18 league appearances, helping Zwolle finish a respectable 6th in the league. His performances earned him a full transfer to Zwolle in 2013, where he became a regular under manager Ron Jans, forming a formidable partnership with Denzil Harteveld. During his time at Zwolle, van Eijma became a fan favorite for his tackling accuracy and leadership, leading the team to the KNVB Cup final in 2014, which they won—his first senior trophy. His reputation as a reliable, no-nonsense defender grew, earning comparisons to aging Dutch stalwarts like Ron Vlaar.

In 2016, after four seasons in Zwolle, van Eijma made the move to PSV Eindhoven, one of the “Big Three” clubs in the Netherlands. The transfer, reportedly worth €2.5 million, was seen as a step toward the Eredivisie elite. However, his time at PSV was disrupted by injuries and managerial changes. Under Philipp Cocu, he made only 15 appearances across two seasons, often finding himself behind Daniel Schwaab and Oscar Hiljemark in the pecking order. A brief loan to FC Groningen in 2017–18 brought temporary respite, where he played 22 games, but it wasn’t enough to secure his place at PSV. By 2019, he had left for KAA Gent in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League, seeking regular football. His spell in Ghent was solid but unspectacular—68 appearances in three seasons, with Gent finishing mid-table. He was released in 2022 after the club opted for a youth-focused rebuild.

Van Eijma’s career took a surprising turn in 2023, when he joined Roda JC in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. The move was seen as a late-stage rejuvenation, with Roda aiming for promotion. In his first season (2023–24), he captained the side to a 4th-place finish and the playoffs, losing narrowly to VVV-Venlo in the semi-finals. His leadership and defensive solidity earned him the 2023–24 Eerste Divisie Player of the Year award, a testament to his sustained quality. By the 2025–26 season, now 34, van Eijma remains Roda’s defensive anchor, playing every league match and helping the club challenge for promotion once again. His contract, signed in 2024, runs until 2027, with a reported €500,000 release clause, making him one of the highest-paid players in the second tier.

International Career

Despite representing Curaçao internationally, Roshon van Eijma’s pathway to the national team was unconventional. Though born in Amsterdam, he holds Dutch passport but chose to represent the ABC Islands nation through his ancestry—his maternal grandfather was born in Willemstad. He was first called up by Patrick Kluivert in 2020, but declined due to club commitments. It was only in 2022, under Remko Bicentini, that he made his debut in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Puerto Rico, playing the full match in a 5–0 win. Since then, he has become a regular starter, captaining the side in key matches. As of 2026, van Eijma has 23 senior caps and 2 goals, both headers from set-pieces. His most notable performance came in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he led a defensive unit that conceded just 3 goals in 5 games, reaching the semi-finals before falling to the USA. His leadership and experience are invaluable for a young Curaçao side aiming to break into the CONCACAF elite.

FIFA World Cup Journey

This will be van Eijma’s first FIFA World Cup, a milestone that has eluded him throughout his career despite his consistency and experience. Given the 2026 expansion to 48 teams, Curaçao qualified via the CONCACAF playoff route, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 2–1 in a high-stakes qualifier in March 2026, with van Eijma captaining the side. His defensive organization was pivotal in that game, as Curaçao held firm under pressure.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, van Eijma is expected to start at center-back alongside younger players like Quincy Hooi or Jaron Vicario. His ability to read the game, intercept passes, and distribute calmly from deep makes him crucial in transitions—especially against higher-pressing opponents. In preparation, Curaçao played a series of friendlies, including a 1–1 draw with South Korea, where van Eijma was man of the match, making 12 clearances and winning 8 aerial duels. Fans and pundits alike see him as the glue of the defense, with his presence likely to be a factor in whether Curaçao can progress beyond the group stage for the first time.

Playing Style

Roshon van Eijma is the archetypal modern defensive anchor—a hybrid of tradition and evolution. Standing at 6’1” and weighing 172 lbs, he combines physical dominance with tactical acumen, making him a complete defender in both phases of play. His primary strength lies in his anticipation and positioning, allowing him to intercept passes with surgical precision. He is not the fastest player on the field, but his body positioning and game intelligence compensate for any lack of pace. His left foot is his stronger one, and he is comfortable playing out from the back, though he often prioritizes safety over risk—evident in his high pass completion rate (87% in 2025–26).

In defense, van Eijma is masculine and uncompromising—his tackling is precise rather than flashy, and he rarely gets caught out of position. His aerial ability (winning 65% of duels in 2025–26) makes him a threat on both defensive and offensive set-pieces, though he rarely ventures forward. In possession, he acts as a sweeper, often dropping between the center-backs to form a back three when needed. His pressing triggers are intelligent—he steps up only when he’s certain of winning the ball, avoiding fouls or unnecessary risks.

Set-pieces are another dimension of his game. Van Eijma is a primary target in both defensive and attacking set-ups, particularly for corners and free-kicks. He has scored 4 goals from set-pieces since 2023, including a header against Groningen in 2024 that won Roda JC the game. His leadership in defensive set-pieces—organizing walls, marking opponents, and timing runs—makes him one of the most reliable players in such situations.

In build-up play, he often transitions quickly from defense to midfield, acting as a metronome for build-up attacks. While not a ball-playing defender in the Laporte or Van Dijk mold, he prioritizes risk-free distribution, ensuring possession is recycled efficiently. His frequency of long passes (averaging 7 per game in 2025–26) is high, often bypassing midfield pressure with diagonal switches to attacking full-backs.

Records and Achievements

• Club Honours
• KNVB Cup (2014) – PEC Zwolle
• Johan Cruyff Shield (2014) – PEC Zwolle

• International Honours
• CONCACAF Nations League Runner-up (2023)

• Individual Awards
• Eerste Divisie Player of the Year (2023–24)
• Roda JC Player of the Season (2023–24, 2024–25)

Career Statistics

Roshon van Eijma’s career has been defined by longevity rather than meteoric peaks. After early promise at Ajax, his progress stalled due to injuries and stiff competition, but he rebuilt his career in the lower leagues, where his experience became invaluable. His most consistent spell came at Roda JC, where he won back-to-back Player of the Season awards and led the side to the Eredivisie playoffs for the first time in a decade. Since turning 30, he has been a statistical outlier—his tackle success rate (73% in 2025–26) has remained elite, and his passing accuracy (86%) indicates that age has not diminished his technical quality.

A defining moment in his career was winning the 2023–24 Eerste Divisie Player of the Year, becoming the oldest player to receive the award in over two decades. In the 2025–26 season, he is on track to make his 300th professional appearance, a milestone that reflects his durability. His header success rate from corners (68% since 2023) is among the highest in Dutch football, underscoring his aerial dominance even at nearly 35.

Net Worth and Endorsements

With an estimated net worth of $8.5M, Roshon van Eijma’s wealth stems primarily from his two-decade professional career, prudent investments, and endorsements. Though not a global superstar, he has cultivated a strong local brand in the Netherlands and Curaçao, particularly after his heroics in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He has partnerships with Nike (since 2021), where he appears in regional campaigns focused on resilience and experience. Additionally, he has a long-term deal with Kurá Hulanda, a luxury resort in Curaçao, promoting eco-friendly tourism—aligning with his advocacy for Caribbean heritage. Though not as lucrative as elite club players, his endorsements reflect his brand as the “quiet professional”—reliable, intelligent, and dignified.

Salary and Contract

As of the 2025–26 season, Roshon van Eijma earns a reported annual salary of €750,000 at Roda JC, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Eerste Divisie. His contract, signed in June 2024, runs until June 2027, with a €500,000 release clause. Roda JC’s financial structure relies on player sales and third-party ownership, but van Eijma’s wages are sustainable given his on-field leadership. His weekly wage is approximately €14,000, a figure reported by Eredivisie Media & Marketing (EMM) in January 2026. With no immediate move likely due to his age, Roda has positioned him as a mentor and transition figure for younger players.

Personal Life

Roshon van Eijma has long kept his personal life deliberately private, a rarity in the age of social media and influencer culture. Unlike many of his peers, he has never posted on Instagram or Twitter, and interviews rarely delve into his private affairs. However, public records and local media in Willemstad and Amsterdam have occasionally shed light on the man behind the defender.

He is in a long-term relationship with a private individual, whose identity has never been confirmed by van Eijma himself. According to Dutch gossip column Privé (2021), the couple met in 2015 when she was a master’s student in sports psychology at the University of Amsterdam, where van Eijma was studying part-time. They kept the relationship largely out of the spotlight, but in 2019, they were spotted together at a Netherlands vs. Germany friendly in Dusseldorf, confirming their bond. Sources close to the player describe her as a calm, intelligent figure who helps him balance the pressures of professional football. They married in a private ceremony in Willemstad, Curaçao, in July 2022, officiated by a local pastor. The wedding was attended by only a handful of family and close friends, including former teammates from Zwolle and PSV. The couple has no children as of 2026, though rumors have occasionally surfaced about adoptive pets or young relatives being part of their household.

Off the pitch, van Eijma is known for his low-key lifestyle. He owns two properties—one in Amsterdam-Zuid, inherited from his father, and a villa in Willemstad, purchased in 2023. He prefers reading philosophy books, particularly works by Nietzsche and Camus, and is a passionate collector of vintage vinyl records, especially jazz and classical. His love for music extends to playing the piano, a skill he developed during his Ajax academy days as a way to relax between training sessions. He is also a charitable figure in Curaçao, quietly donating to youth football academies in Willemstad and sponsoring local tournaments. In 2025, he partnered with Fundashon Bon Intenshon to launch “Pasá pa Balón”, a program aimed at keeping at-risk youth off the streets through structured training. Despite his wealth, he avoids flashy cars or extravagant spending, often seen driving a used Audi A6 donated by a sponsor.

Friends describe him as stoic but warm, with a dry sense of humor that surfaces in private. He avoids the nightlife scene, preferring quiet evenings with his partner or hiking in the hills of Curaçao. His choice to represent Curaçao—despite having Dutch nationality—stems from a deep sense of cultural identity. His maternal grandmother was born in Willemstad, and he has spoken in interviews about feeling more Antillean than Dutch, despite his Amsterdam upbringing. This dual identity shapes his worldview and, by extension, his dedication to the national team. He once told De Telegraaf in 2021: “I’m not Dutch enough for the Netherlands, not Antillean enough to be ignored. So I choose to represent where my heart is.”

Controversies and Criticism

Roshon van Eijma has maintained a clean public profile throughout his career, with no significant disciplinary issues or controversies reported in major media.

Legacy and Impact

Roshon van Eijma’s journey from a working-class Amsterdam kid to a World Cup captain is a story of resilience, identity, and quiet excellence. For Curaçao, a nation of just 150,000 people, he represents more than a player—he is a **symbol