Crysencio Summerville credits Leeds United for helping fulfil Netherlands World Cup dream

Crysencio Summerville has paid an emotional tribute to Leeds United after earning his first senior call-up for the Netherlands ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The 24-year-old winger, now with West Ham United, was included in Ronald Koeman's squad despite never previously representing his country at senior level. His selection came as one of the biggest surprises in the Dutch squad announcement, with Summerville edging out several high-profile contenders for a place on football's biggest stage.

Speaking during a Netherlands press conference, the former Leeds star admitted the call-up fulfilled a lifelong ambition.

“I wrote down that I wanted to make it to the World Cup,” Summerville said.

“I thought: 24 is a nice age for a World Cup. It's a boyhood dream come true.”

He also revealed that his inclusion came as a surprise despite receiving encouragement from Koeman earlier in the year.

“The national coach said at the time that I had to stay fit and do my thing. Still, it was a surprise that I was included.”

While the World Cup call-up represents the latest milestone in his career, Summerville was quick to acknowledge the role Leeds United played in helping him reach this point.

The Dutch winger arrived at Elland Road in 2020 after deciding to leave his home city of Rotterdam and pursue a career in England. At just 19 years old, it was a major step that required leaving family and familiar surroundings behind.

Reflecting on that period, Summerville explained how Leeds helped ease the transition.

“That was difficult,” he admitted.

“At Leeds, they did everything they could to be there for me like family. That always gave me the motivation to keep going. I knew what I was doing it for.”

Having followed Leeds closely during their promotion-winning campaign, it was clear that Summerville evolved significantly during his time at Elland Road. What began as a raw and unpredictable winger gradually developed into a far more complete attacking player.

One of the key influences behind that progression was former Leeds favourite Raphinha.

Before becoming a regular starter, Summerville found himself behind the Brazilian in the pecking order. Rather than becoming frustrated, he used the experience as a learning opportunity.

The winger credits Raphinha's professionalism and work ethic for changing his own approach to the game.

“I was behind him in the pecking order at Leeds. He showed what you have to do in terms of hard work,” Summerville explained.

“When I recently saw him in the top ten of the Ballon d'Or, I thought: I can achieve something like that too.”

That mindset helped fuel a remarkable rise at Leeds, culminating in a 19-goal campaign during the 2023/24 season as the Whites secured promotion back to the Premier League.

Summerville's immediate focus will be on the World Cup, where he could make his senior Netherlands debut on the biggest stage in international football.

For Leeds supporters, his selection provides further evidence of the club's ability to nurture elite talent. Meanwhile, the winger will hope a strong tournament can elevate his profile even further and establish him as a regular part of Koeman's plans beyond the World Cup.

His journey from a teenage arrival at Elland Road to a Netherlands international is now complete — but the next chapter may be the most important yet.

Do you think Crysencio Summerville can become a regular starter for the Netherlands after the World Cup, or is this just the beginning of an even bigger rise?