Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt was born on August 12, 1999 in Leiderdorp, Netherland. Right after his birth, the family shifted to Abcoude. At the age of five, he started playing tennis. He was introduced to football by his friend. Immediately fascinated by it, he polished his skills and soon found a place for himself at the FC Abcoude. Talking of his relationship status, Matthijs has been involved with a girl romantically but nothing much is known about her or their love relationship.

Stardom and fanfare may be inherited, but it only lasts when it is earned. Matthijs de Ligt sure seems to have earned it by being one of the most talented young football players. Starting it off at the age of six, Matthijs first played for FC Abcoude for 3 years. At the age of nine, he became a youth player for AFC Ajax, playing for the second team of the U11’s. During the early years of his career, Matthijs played as a midfielder. His first goal came when he played for the second team of the U15’s.

Matthijs’ talent was soon noticed by his coach who made him a centre-defender. His first brush with limelight came in 2015 while playing the Future Cup. Though Ajax lost the tournament, Matthijs emerged as the 2015 ABN AMRO Player of the Tournament. He ended the year with yet another Player of the Tournament award for Copa Amsterdam.

After being awarded AFC Ajax Talent of the Future in 2016, Matthijs’ career witnessed a meteoric rise. In August, Matthijs made his professional debut for Jong Ajax in a game against FC Emmen. By September 2016, he had made his debut for Ajax's senior team in a cup game against Willem II. 25 minutes into the game, Matthijs scored his first professional goal, thus becoming the 2nd youngest goal scorer ever, behind Clarence Seedorf. Adding to his list of feats, same year, Matthijs became the youngest player ever to play in a European final. His aerial duels and defensive technique on field earned him not just loads of appreciation, but also a place in Ajax’s senior squad.

In March 2017, Matthijs struck the big breakthrough of his career by making his debut for Holland’s national football team in a World Cup qualifying match against Bulgaria, thus becoming the youngest Holland debutant since Mauk Weber.