Bennie Muller

Bennie Muller (14 August 1938 – 17 January 2024) was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Ajax and the Netherlands national team.

Early life
Muller was born in the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam-East. His grandfather was a fruit seller named Levi Sluiter. His mother was incarcerated in Westerbork transit camp during World War II. Approximately 200 members of Muller's extended family were killed in the Holocaust.

Club career
Muller played club football for Ajax beginning in 1958, and was its captain. He made his debut for Ajax against MVV and played 426 official matches for the club. He won five league titles and three domestic cups with them.

International career
Muller made his debut for the Netherlands national team in an April 1960 friendly match against Bulgaria, earning 43 caps in total, and also serving as captain. His final international was an October 1968 World Cup qualification match against Bulgaria.

Personal life
Muller was Jewish, and was one of only six Jewish players to have played for Ajax – the others being Eddy Hamel, Johnny Roeg, Sjaak Swart, Daniël de Ridder and Ilan Boccara.

Muller married on 27 September 1961. He had a daughter, Petra, and a son Danny, who was also a professional footballer. Muller later owned a cigar shop near Amsterdam Centraal station.

Bennie Muller died on 17 January 2024, at the age of 85.