The Non-Flying Dutchman: Here's the Sensational Story of Dennis Bergkamp

Thierry Henry once said, "Dennis is the messiah. We told him to turn to God, and he turned to Dennis."

In less blasphemous terms, the great Dennis Bergkamp was pure magic on a football field. Any description of him must include his first touch. His passing was elite as well — just ask Freddie Ljungberg what he enjoyed.

Fans called him "The Non-Flying Dutchman," and for good reason, as we'll find out later. He was a striker, but he was an artist too. Bergkamp may not have been as fast as Liverpool's Michael Owen, but he could do things with a football that made people's jaws drop. In this article, you'll learn the story of one of football's finest. Keep reading to find out about the Dutch's profile, career achievements, and what made him worth the hype.

Who is Dennis Bergkamp?

Born in Amsterdam on May 10, 1969, the Dutchman started kicking a ball around at Ajax's youth academy. The Dutch way of playing meant he had to learn every position on the field. Little did anyone know this kid would grow up to become one of football's brightest players ever.

Major Career Highlights

Bergkamp had a pretty impressive career, both for club and country.

Club Career

1. Ajax (1986 to 1993)

This is where it all began. Following Marco van Basten, Bergkamp became Ajax’s new star. He burst onto the scene in 1986 and he made a splash. He banged in 103 goals in 185 games, which is very impressive for a youngster. He was so good he ended up as the league's top scorer three years in a row from 1990 to 1993.

The Dutch knew they had something special on their hands and named him their best player twice. He won the Dutch Player of the Year award in 1991 and 1992. The attacker helped them win the league in 1989-90 and grabbed the UEFA Cup in 1992.

2. Inter Milan (1993 to 1995)

Italy came calling in 1993. While he didn't score as many goals there, he still helped Inter win the UEFA Cup in his first season. Playing in Italy's tough league taught him new tricks that would come in handy later.

3. Arsenal (1995 to 2006)

His career with Arsenal is where Bergkamp became a legend. Arsenal’s rivalry with Manchester United was quite fun in the era. The Reds had Eric Cantona who was a creative force for them. When Arsène Wenger took over as Arsenal manager, he built the team around Dennis' skills. Unlike George Graham who loved defense and Bruce Rioch’s conservative methods, Wenger's flexible style allowed Bergkamp’s flair to shine.

He retired in ‘06 after 11 seasons. He made an appearance 315 times, scored 87 goals, and set up 94 more. The Dutch star partnered with Ian Wright in attack before the latter left. He was the brains behind three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. Part of this was the legendary 2003–04 ‘invincibles’ season.



Remember that memorable goal against Newcastle in 2002? Sure you do. You've probably seen a video of it. The way he spun around the defender before scoring was pure genius. People still talk about it today. The YouTube channels and TikTok compilations love it. Such moments are why Paul Merson called him the best player he's ever played with.

International Career

Aside from his time at Arsenal, Dennis was a star for the Dutch national team from 1990 to 2000. He registered 37 official goals in 79 games for the Netherlands. His finest moment is debatable. But it has to be the country's ‘98 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. With just minutes left, he caught a long pass from Frank de Boer as if it was nothing, danced past the defender, and found the back of the net to win the game 2-1.

It was the kind of goal that makes you fall in love with football. The Dutch commentator absolutely lost it after the ball went in. A classic fan favorite Bergkamp moment. You can read the match transcript online to relive the commentary.

Titles and Honors

So, our guy won plenty of silverware throughout his career. Let's take a look at some.

1. Ajax

• Eredivisie Champion: 1989-90
• KNVB Cup Winner: 1986-87, 1992-93
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1986-87
• UEFA Cup: 1991-92

2. Inter Milan

• UEFA Cup: 1993-94

3. Arsenal

• Premier League Champion: 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04
• FA Cup Winner: 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05
• FA Community Shield: 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Bergkamp never won the Champions League, but no one can talk down on his quality. He also wasn't a regular captain. Individually, he was honored as the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players' Player of the Year in 1998. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1997-98 season. He played his testimonial match in 2006. It was the first game played at the Emirates Stadium, which was poetic to imagine.

Why Was Bergkamp Called the Non-Flying Dutchman?

Here's the thing about Dennis: he was terrified of flying. It started getting really bad during his time in Italy, where they used small planes a lot. Things got worse during the 1994 World Cup when one of his flights had engine trouble.

The man himself put it simply: "I've got this problem and I have to live with it. I can't do anything about it; it is a psychological thing and I can't explain it."

So he'd take cars, trains, and boats to games instead of planes. He'd even miss international fixtures and European away matches sometimes. But you know what? It didn't stop him from being brilliant on the field.

Soccer Betting Tips

Dennis Bergkamp, one of the greatest soccer players of the Netherlands, who was able to read the match, which allowed him to find optimal positions on the field and create scoring chances. This skill of understanding the game on a deep level can be useful for bettors betting on soccer.

To improve their betting performance, punters, like Bergkamp on the field, must seriously analyze matches.One good betting strategy is handicap betting. It basically helps balance the odds when one team is stronger than the other. This method is commonly used in big matches such as Manchester United vs. Arsenal.

In addition to studying the matches, it's a good idea to listen to expert opinions. MightyTips offer advice from top tipsters to help bettors choose the best bets and apply handicap football tips. To capitalize on handicap betting, look into:

• Top bookmakers with the best handicap betting options
• How to maximize your wins using handicap betting strategies
• Different types of handicap betting and when to use them
• Advantages and disadvantages of handicap betting

Final Thoughts

In 2007, Bergkamp was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. And how fitting. We can argue that he has left a legacy in modern football. If you look closely, smart players like Martin Ødegaard who think before they act all follow in his footsteps. One of those players is Chelsea and England’s Cole Palmer.

After scoring four against Brighton, Theo Walcott had this to comment: "His elegance. His beauty with the ball. His composure at such a young age. He has got a bit of finesse, Bergkamp, Van Persie about him."

Bergkamp was simply in a different class. No shade to Arsenal, but imagine him in a club like Barcelona. He would've been perfect as they often rate intelligence and skill over athleticism. A UEFA Champions League title would've really done more for his résumé, too.

Either way, all of that changes little. He played the game making the impossible look easy. He was a true creative, something the types of Pele had. Sure, he wouldn't get on a plane, but did it really matter? When (and however) he found his way to the stadium, he left fans entertained with his technique. The Gunner was simply one of the greats of the last two decades.