Jan Jongbloed (25 November 1940 – 30 August 2023) was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for the Netherlands national team, having represented the country at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, where the Oranje finished as runners-up in both cases.

Club career

Born in Amsterdam, Jongbloed played for DWS (then rebranded as FC Amsterdam), Roda JC and Go Ahead Eagles. He played a total amount of 717 professional games, and made the second-highest number of appearances in the history of the Eredivisie, behind only Pim Doesburg. Jongbloed retired in 1986, at the age of 45, due to a heart attack he had suffered during an official match between Go Ahead Eagles and HFC Haarlem. After his retirement from playing, he worked as a football coach.

International career

Jongbloed made 24 appearances for the Netherlands senior national team, winning his first cap in 1962 and the last in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final. Jongbloed represented the Netherlands at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups.

Style of play

As a youth, he was a winger. When he was keeping, he become one of the pioneer of sweeper-keeper, which style of play matched the totaalvoetbal with his feet ability. Anticipated 40 years of this style, when nowadays, a lot of keepers such Manuel Neuer, Alisson and many others, being crucial of football innovation.

Personal life and death

Jongbloed was married twice and twice divorced; he had a daughter, Nicole, and a son, Eric. The latter also went on to play football as a goalkeeper for DWS; however, during a match on 23 September 1984, he was fatally struck by lightning, aged 21. Jongbloed died on 30 August 2023, at the age of 82.

Honours

DWS Netherlands