The new star of Dutch football, Hedwiges Maduro experienced a meteoric rise in 2005. After progressing through Ajax's world famous youth system, he made his first Eredivisie appearance in a 2-1 win at Roda JC in February. A month later Marco van Basten handed him his senior international debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Romania, and the midfielder has retained his place in the squad ever since. Maduro, who captained the Netherlands at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, has established himself as a first-team regular for Ajax this season, with his form the one high point in a disappointing campaign for the Amsterdam giants.