Is it right to ostracise someone simply because they don’t fit a preconceived mould? Does it make them any less successful? Bas Dost is one of Europe’s most prolific goal scorers, has announced retirement from international football at age 28.

He is praised as one of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s most prolific scorers in recent memory. His actions on the pitch have won countless plaudits across Europe. The striker’s movement – always in sync with his teammates – allows him to seamlessly break free from distraught defenders before deftly finishing the ball past a hapless ‘keeper. I’m not here to write about the magisterial Cristiano Ronaldo, though. While they do share many similar attributes, a tall Dutchman has emerged in recent years as one of the most high-volume scorers in the world.

His name is Bas Dost, and at 28 years old he has retired from international football.

Jon Townsend’s feature in a magazine gives us a crucial insight into what a Dutch footballer is. “Dutch football is fluid,” Townsend writes. “It is formulaic…Dutch football is artistry.” The programming of a striker, midfielder, or defender growing up on the streets of Den Haag or Rotterdam largely mirrors this description of the domestic game. The curious movements of Cruijff’s turn or the downright nerve-wracking sight of ten outfield players pressing the ball are the moments the country has been identified with. As Jon says, “The Dutch footballer is a complex figure…Dutch football continues to perplex in the most intriguing of ways.”