Ronald Koeman Jr was left in tears on the field while playing for Telstar in the Netherlands following a tribute to his late mother.

Football legend Ronald Koeman Sr announced the death of his beloved wife Bartina from breast cancer aged 65 last week, with Koeman Jr opting to play at the weekend despite his grief.

The former Netherlands and Barcelona boss and his other half were married for 41 years and he shared a heartbreaking message with the news on Instagram.

During the Eredivisie clash between Telstar and AZ Alkmaar, meanwhile, action was paused in the 13th minute for a tribute to Bartina.

Her picture was displayed on the big screen inside the AFAS Stadion, with supporters from both clubs taking part in a minute applause, and Telstar fans held sparklers in the air as Koeman took in the support.

He was seen crying, and used his shirt to wipe his eyes before clapping the crowd to thank them.

Koeman Sr, 63, wrote on Instagram last week: 'With intense sadness, but also with great pride and love, we say goodbye to my beautiful wife, our dearest mum and grandma.'

The image he shared to accompany the post was a black and white shot of the couple looking into each other's eyes and clasping their hands together. 

Koeman, who established himself as a football legend during his decorated playing career for Barcelona, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord, married Bartina back in 1985. 

They had three children and four grandchildren together during a long and happy marriage.

Bartina was re-diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 when he started his second spell in charge of the Dutch national team. 

She had previously recovered from breast cancer in 2010. 

Bartina continued to fight the disease and Koeman said metastases had been detected last year, which his wife was receiving treatment for. 

When he stepped down from the Dutch job, he made a point of thanking his wife for her support, saying: 'My wife Bartina supported and encouraged me every day, despite her own illness, to finish my work as national coach. 

'That is a testament to incredible strength. I am more grateful to her for that than I will ever be able to put into words.'

Bartina thrived in her own successful career as an entrepreneur and had her own cosmetics and skincare line.