Matthijs de Ligt - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Matthijs de Ligt was born on 12 August 1999 in the city of Leiderdorp, the Netherlands. He was passionate about soccer from an early age and began playing for his local club, Abcoude, when he was just six years old. He stood out among his peers due to his exceptional soccer skills and unbending dedication to the sport. His talents didn’t escape the attention of scouts from AFC Ajax, one of the top clubs in Dutch football, and he was duly recruited into their youth training system when he was only nine years old.
Ajax Career
After going through rigorous training in the Ajax youth academy, fondly referred to as 'De Toekomst' meaning 'The Future', De Ligt made his professional debut with the Ajax senior team in 2016, at the age of 17. He quickly made an impact at the club, leading the team to the final of the Europa League in his first season. The following season in 2018, de Ligt was named the club's youngest-ever captain. He led Ajax to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League and won the Eredivisie – the top flight division in the Netherlands in 2019. His solid performances and leadership qualities earned him the Golden Boy Award in 2018, an accolade given to the best young player in European football.
Move to Juventus
In June 2019, following impressive campaigns with Ajax, Italian giants Juventus secured De Ligt’s signature for a reported fee of €75 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders in the history of the sport. He quickly settled into his new club, and while his first season had some dips, his performances on the pitch demonstrated immense value. De Ligt's remarkable physical strength, tactical awareness, and versatility in defence have quickly made him a stalwart in the Italian club's backline.
International Career
De Ligt began his international career with the Netherlands U15 team, after which he rose swiftly through the ranks of the youth teams. In 2017, he made his debut for the Dutch senior national team, becoming the youngest player to do so in 83 years. Since then, he has been a regular in the lineup and an integral part of the team in various competitions including the UEFA Nations League where Netherlands secured a runners-up position in 2019. De Ligt’s strong defensive performances and leadership skills have made him a key player in the Dutch national side.
Style of Play
Matthijs de Ligt is known for his ball-playing abilities as a central defender; his capacity to start attacking plays from the back is a key element of his game. He is a physically strong player, excellent in the air, and adept at timing tackles to dispossess opponents. De Ligt is also known for his strong leadership skills and his ability to read the game, positioning himself to intercept passes and cut off attacks before they become dangerous. Additionally, despite his position, he has a penchant for scoring goals, often heading in from corner kicks.
Personal Life
Beyond his professional career, De Ligt is known to be quite reserved and private about his personal life. However, it is known that he is in a relationship with Annekee Molenaar, who is a Dutch model. Both often share their lives on social media, giving fans a glimpse into their world off the pitch. De Ligt is also known for his disciplined lifestyle and his dedication to constant improvement. He is multilingual, speaking Dutch, English and Italian fluently.
Legacy and Influence
Despite his young age, De Ligt’s influence on the game is already evident. His consecutive breakthroughs at Ajax and Juventus, as well as his distinctive playstyle introducing a more technically proficient era of central defenders, have made him one of the leading names in contemporary football. His determination, discipline and leadership, starting from his teenage years, has marked him as a role model for aspiring young footballers, especially in his native Netherlands.
