Nominees for the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year award announced

Godts

Mika Godts has already been named Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month three times this season, more than any other player. Remarkably, in each of those months (April, February and November), the Ajax forward was directly involved in exactly four goals. With a total of 29 goal involvements this season (seventeen goals and twelve assists), Godts is currently the most valuable player (MVP) in the Eredivisie.

Only Salomon Kalou has recorded more goals and assists in a single Eredivisie season before turning twenty this century (31 in 2004/05) than the Belgian. Godts also regularly entertains fans with his dribbling ability, leading the league in both dribbles attempted (180) and successful dribbles (83). In addition to his nomination for Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year, Godts is also nominated for the Eredivisie Player of the Year award.

Janse

Dies Janse has emerged as one of the biggest revelations in FC Groningen’s defence. The twenty-year-old from Goes joined on loan from Ajax last summer and has since impressed with his mature performances, strength in duels and composure on the ball. The left-footed centre-back has featured in thirty league matches this season, starting 29 of them.

Among all centre-backs who contested at least 100 individual duels this season, only three players won a higher percentage than Janse (62% of 177 duels). He has also contributed offensively with two goals, two assists and seventeen chances created. Janse has therefore become an indispensable part of Dick Lukkien’s side and one of the standout defenders in the Eredivisie.

Ouaissa

Sami Ouaissa is enjoying his second season at the highest level with N.E.C. Nijmegen. The 21-year-old midfielder has developed into one of the club’s key attacking players thanks to his technique, creativity and attacking drive. Ouaissa has recorded six goals and six assists in the Eredivisie, meaning he has been directly involved in twelve goals.

The midfielder has also excelled in chance creation (51) and dribbling (49 successful dribbles). Of all eight players with at least forty chances created and forty successful dribbles, only Godts is younger than Ouaissa. Through his strong performances, Ouaissa has played a major role in N.E.C. Nijmegen’s successful season, with the club still fighting for European qualification and having reached the KNVB Cup final.

Rots

Following a successful loan spell at Heracles Almelo, Mats Rots joined FC Twente’s first team last summer. Since then, the twenty-year-old left-back has become a permanent fixture in the starting line-up, featuring in all 33 league matches. With 2,864 minutes played, Rots is the second-youngest player with the most minutes in the Eredivisie, behind only Marvin Young (2,880).

Through his defensive actions, dribbling ability and attacking contributions, Mats Rots has become a key weapon in FC Twente’s attractive style of play. Among defenders, he has recorded the most touches in the opposition penalty area (94), the most dribbles (99) and the most ball recoveries (189). The left-back has also been directly involved in eight goals, scoring four and assisting four - including three assists for his brother, Daan Rots. With his standout performances, Mats Rots has quickly developed into one of the best left-backs in the Eredivisie.

Smit

After years of being regarded as one of the biggest talents from AZ’s academy, Kees Smit has made his definitive breakthrough at the club this season. The twenty-year-old midfielder has become one of the standout performers in Alkmaar thanks to his technique, creativity and football intelligence. With Kees Smit in the starting line-up, AZ have won 48 per cent of their matches this season (11 out of 23), compared to just 30 per cent without him (3 out of 10).

Only PSV players Jerdy Schouten, Mauro Júnior and Sergiño Dest have recorded a higher pass accuracy than Kees Smit this season (84.1% from 446 passes). Particularly notable is his composure under pressure. Of all players regularly subjected to intense pressing, no one completed a higher percentage of their passes than Smit (87.9%). It is no surprise that the young midfielder from Heiloo has already been called up multiple times to the Dutch national team squad by head coach Ronald Koeman.

In the Women’s Eredivisie, the nominees are Aymee Altena (sc Heerenveen), Renee van Asten (Ajax), Mao Itamura (Feyenoord), Kealyn Thomas (AZ) and Danique Tolhoek (Ajax).

The winners will be announced on Monday 25 May during the Eredivisie Awards 2026. The award show will be broadcast live on ESPN from 20:30.

The Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year awards are selected in collaboration with Coaches Betaald Voetbal by the head coaches and the national team managers. The award is presented annually to the biggest talents of the season in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

In addition to receiving the title Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year, the winners are also given the opportunity to select a Cruyff Court that will carry their name. Last year, Jorrel Hato and Veerle Buurman received the award. Earlier this year, Buurman officially opened her own Cruyff Court in Eindhoven: the city where her football journey began.

During the Eredivisie Awards, the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year awards will be presented alongside the honours for Player of the Year, Goal of the Year and the top scorer awards. In addition, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be handed out for the sixth time this year. The nominees for Player of the Year were announced yesterday.

The Eredivisie Awards are an initiative of the Eredivisie, Women’s Eredivisie and ESPN. VriendenLoterij, PLUS and the Cruyff Foundation are partners of the Eredivisie Awards.