Bart Verbruggen, the 23-year-old goalkeeper for the Netherlands and Brighton & Hove Albion, reflects on his career and aspirations as he prepares for the upcoming World Cup. He idolizes Edwin van der Sar, acknowledging the high standards set by the legendary goalkeeper, who won the Champions League and earned 130 caps for the Netherlands. Verbruggen has established himself as a key player for Brighton, keeping 17 clean sheets in 74 Premier League games and helping the team secure eighth-place finishes, which earned them a spot in the Europa Conference League. His impressive passing accuracy was highlighted during the 2024 European Championships, where he completed 97.5% of his passes against France. Despite some mistakes, including four errors leading to goals in the 2025-26 season, Verbruggen's crucial penalty save against Brentford showcased his importance to both his club and national team. With the Netherlands historically missing out on World Cup titles, Verbruggen expresses pride in the opportunity to change this narrative alongside his teammates.