Donyell Malen Loses Starting Role After Tense Talk with Netherlands Coach Ronald Koeman

Donyell Malen, the AS Roma striker, met with Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman during an open training session in Rome ahead of the World Cup round‑of‑16 match against Morocco. Koeman told him he would not be in the starting eleven, after which Malen left the session isolated and visibly upset.

Koeman had recently criticised Malen’s recent performances. Former Dutch international Wim Kieft told De Telegraaf that Malen, once considered a key player, is now struggling mentally and faces strong competition from Brian Brobbey and Crysencio Summerville. Kieft noted that Malen ignored a press call, which he described as a bad sign.