A young footballer for Ajax fought back tears as he paid a heartbreaking tribute to his girlfriend, who was killed in a hit-and-run collision. Mark Verkuijl, 19, held up an Ajax shirt bearing the name 'Elisa' ahead of a Jong Ajax match, just days after her tragic death.
A Tragic Loss for the Ajax Family
The tragedy unfolded when Elisa, aged 21, was struck by a car while out jogging. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. The alleged driver reportedly fled the scene but was tracked down by police at her home later that evening and apprehended. The news sent shockwaves through the Ajax football club, devastating Verkuijl and his teammates.
Verkuijl, a midfielder currently recovering from a hamstring injury, joined his Jong Ajax teammates on the pitch before their Keuken Kampioen Divisie match against RKC Waalwijk on Monday, 24th December 2025. In deeply emotional scenes, he struggled to contain his grief while displaying the personalised shirt.
Club's Wishes Overruled as Match Goes Ahead
The reserve team were unable to train in the days following Elisa's death, as the club allowed the squad time to grieve. Ajax's director of football affairs, Marijn Beuker, along with players and staff, visited Verkuijl to offer their condolences. The club had wanted to reschedule the match but were forced to play just four days after the tragedy.
Jong Ajax coach Willem Weijs told ESPN that his players' primary thoughts were not on the game. "To be honest, I didn't feel that need [to play]. And I had the feeling that a lot of players didn't either," he said. Despite this, the match proceeded.
In a show of respect, Jong Ajax players wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence before kick-off. The tribute continued into the match when, in the 21st minute, supporters erupted into applause. Verkuijl, watching from the stands, was seen holding the shirt aloft once more.
Football Association's Difficult Decision
The KNVB, the Royal Dutch Football Association, explained the difficult decision not to postpone the fixture. They stated that matches are generally only postponed following the death of a player or staff member. A spokesperson said: "This does not alter the fact that this remains a difficult decision and does not diminish the seriousness of what has happened. This is a very profound and sad event."
The incident has highlighted the human stories behind professional sport, as a promising young athlete and his club navigate an unimaginable personal loss in the public eye.
