Forgotten South African striker Lars Veldwijk has been conveying a powerful message to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he continues to shine in the United Arab Emirates.
Veldwijk disappeared into thin air after being released by South Korean club Suwon FC in February 2024. Nevertheless, he subsequently signed with Segunda División team CD Castellón in Spain five months later.
The 33-year-old star spent at least five months at the Spanish club before moving to the Gulf region to join Gulf United in January this year. Since arriving in the UAE, the striker has truly settled.
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Veldwijk has thus far netted six goals in just seven appearances for United in the UAE First Division League. The towering forward scored a brace on Saturday in his team's 2-2 draw against Fujairah Club.
The seven-cap Bafana striker's remarkable performances at the Al Jaddaf-based club may attract Broos' attention. He last played for Bafana in 2019 during the African Cup of Nations in Egypt but has yet to receive a call-up from Hugo Broos.
In a discussion with Kick Off in 2022, Veldwijk stated his commitment to representing SA and mentioned that he is always ready for national team responsibilities until he ultimately chooses to retire from football.
"For me, every time I was called up, even at the Africa Cup of Nations, I didn't get the game time that a striker needs," Veldwijk told Kickoff by then.
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"I can't show people what I can do with that. I've earned seven caps for South Africa, but it doesn't feel like seven. It was always such a short time on the pitch and that makes it difficult to prove to be people that I can be helpful to the team.
"I haven't had contact with anyone from SAFA or the new coach, which is a bit disappointing," he adds. "But I will be available until the day I retire, and I will never retire from international football until the day I retire from professional football altogether.
"Even if I am 35 – I don't know if they will still want me then – but they can call me up if they need me. I think the coach knows of me and I am available, so it's up to him and the people of SAFA if they think they need me for the [2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations] qualifiers [later this year].
"All I can do is focus on my club and on performing well during the season. If the chance comes to get another call-up from South Africa, I will come, and hopefully, I will finally be able to prove that I can help the team."