Have you ever grappled with an unyielding fear, one that seems to challenge all logical explanation?Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp, renowned for his exceptional contributions to the football world, Bergkamp a an eminent Dutch professional football coach and a retired player.His adaptable skills led him to excel in various positions, initially starting as a wide midfielder before shifting to the roles of main striker and second striker, which he held throughout his Reputable career.Extolled as one of the most illustrious players of his generation and one of the foremost forwards in the history of the Premier League, Bergkamp remains firmly established among the esteemed ranks of both Ajax and Arsenal’s most revered football icons.”Non flying Dutchman”
:Dennis Bergkamp,
Bergkamp earned the nickname “Non flying Dutchman “as a result of his fear of flying.According to contemporary sources, this fear was reportedly triggered by incidents,where the plane’s engine malfunctioned mid-flight.
In his 2013 autobiography, Bergkamp revealed that his fear, in reality, caused during his initial season at Inter Milan, a period marked by frequent travels to away matches in small aircraft.
Bergkamp made his international career for the Netherlands national team as a substitute for Frank de Boer in a match against Italy on September 26, 1990. He marked his first goal for the team during a match against Greece on November 21, 1990. His participation in Euro 1992, where the Dutch national team were the defending champions, showcased his expertise with three goals scored, yet the team ultimately suffered a loss on penalties to eventual champions Denmark in the semi-final.
Following the 1994 World Cup, Bergkamp made the decision to avoid from air travel
The limitations of his condition significantly restricted his participation in away matches within European competitions and accompanying the national team. On certain occasions, he resorted to overland travel via car or train, while for some matches, he opted not to travel at all. In preparation for Arsenal’s Champions League match against Lyon in February 2001, Wenger expressed concerns about Bergkamp’s potential strain resulting from train and car journeys.
He said “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. I have not flown on a plane for two years. The Dutch FA has been sympathetic, so have Arsenal, so far. I am considering psychiatric help. I can’t fly. I just freeze. I get panicky. It starts the day before, when I can’t sleep.”