Kenneth Perez Questions Hype Around AZ Forward Ro-Zangelo Daal

Kenneth Perez is in no mood to join the hype train around Ro-Zangelo Daal.

The 18-year-old AZ forward lit up Sunday’s 5-2 win over Go Ahead Eagles with two goals and a standout display, but where many see the birth of a new star, Perez sees a rush to judgement.

On ESPN’s Dit was het Weekend, presenter Wouter Bouwman enthused, “Things are moving quickly for him,” as the studio watched back Daal’s highlights. Perez immediately hit the brakes.

“Take it easy, man. I’m really going mad from all that nonsense about multi-talent, great talent,” he snapped. “He’s a young and decent player. Let’s wait and see what it all becomes. All those superlatives about ordinary players... Calm down, please.”

No top-talent labels. No early coronation. Perez wants time and proof, not headlines.

Country tug-of-war in the background

Bouwman then added another layer to the conversation: Daal is already on the radar of the Curaçao national team. The suggestion followed quickly that he could also hold out for the Netherlands.

“He can also wait a bit longer for the Netherlands,” Bouwman said.

Perez’s response was brief but telling. “Well…” The hesitation said more than a paragraph could. For him, the debate over international allegiance can wait until the player has truly proved himself.

Arie Haan sees a rising star

Not everyone shares Perez’s restraint.

Arie Haan, working as a reporter for De Telegraaf, has gone the other way entirely. The former Ajax and Netherlands international named Daal in his Team of the Week, impressed by the way the winger solved the problems in front of him.

“They kept trying to block off the outside. Then he just went inside. He played brilliantly,” Haan said. For him, Daal’s performance was not just promising; it was a tactical and technical statement.

Haan also looked beyond Alkmaar, straight to Zeist. “It’s good for Xavi that another winger is emerging who is developing so spectacularly,” he added, effectively offering unsolicited but clear advice to Netherlands head coach Xavi.

On Xavi’s radar

According to Algemeen Dagblad, Xavi is already paying attention. The newspaper reports that Daal features on a “watchlist” kept by the national coach, a group of young forwards being monitored closely.

He is not alone there. Fellow attackers Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink and Shaqueel van Persie are also said to be on that list, underlining the depth of emerging offensive talent that could shape the next generation of the Dutch attack.

So while Perez calls for calm and Haan pushes him into the spotlight, Daal’s name is already circulating in the places that matter. The question now is simple: can the AZ youngster turn one sparkling afternoon into a season – and a career – that justifies all the noise around him?