{"id":245280,"first_name":"Matthijs","last_name":"de Ligt","short_name":"M. de Ligt","common_name":"Matthijs de Ligt","place_of_birth":"Leiderdorp","gender":"male","height":189,"weight":89,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T09:59:46.809Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:20.490Z","locale":"en","age":25,"stb_id":"matthijs-de-ligt","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Matthijs de Ligt","top_position":null,"introduction":"Matthijs de Ligt, born on 12 August 1999, is a renowned Dutch footballer known for his role as a centre-back. He plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the Netherlands national team. De Ligt's career, marked by his strength, leadership, and tactical adeptness, has seen him succeed at top clubs across Europe. Major achievements include winning the Golden Boy award in 2018 as the best under-21 player in Europe and leading Ajax to a domestic double in the 2018–19 season.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nMatthijs de Ligt was born on 12 August 1999 in the Netherlands. His early years were shaped by a passion for football, nurtured in his local community of Abcoude, near Amsterdam.\n\n## Youth Career\nDe Ligt began his football journey at his local club before joining the Ajax youth academy at nine. Despite initial concerns about his pace and fitness, De Ligt developed rapidly, leading to significant achievements in his youth career. His time at Ajax youth featured him prominently, eventually paving his way to the senior team.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n\n### Ajax\nDe Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team on 21 September 2016, during a cup match against Willem II, where he scored a goal, becoming the club's second-youngest goalscorer. Over the following seasons, he became an integral part of Ajax, contributing to their historic run to the 2017 Europa League final and a domestic double in 2018–19.\n\n### Juventus\nIn July 2019, De Ligt transferred to Juventus for €75 million, where he continued to excel, helping them win the Serie A title in his first season and the Coppa Italia in 2020–21.\n\n### Bayern Munich\nDe Ligt signed with Bayern Munich in 2022, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga title win in his debut season.\n\n### Manchester United\nIn 2024, De Ligt joined Manchester United, making an immediate impact by scoring his first goal for the club in a victory against Southampton.\n\n## National Team Career\n\n### Senior National Team\nDe Ligt debuted for the Netherlands in 2017 at age 17, becoming the youngest starter since 1931. He has represented his country in major tournaments like UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and was integral to the Netherlands' success in the UEFA Nations League.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nDe Ligt is a right-footed centre-back heralded for his height, strength, and exceptional leadership. His technical skills include clean tackling and precise passes, which allow him to contribute both defensively and in initiating attacks. His playing style is often compared to legends like Gerard Piqué and Ronald Koeman.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, De Ligt has consistently performed at the highest levels, appearing in numerous matches for prominent clubs and his national team, though specific statistical counts are not available in the provided source.\n\n## Records\nDe Ligt holds records for being the youngest player to start a major European final for Ajax and the youngest defender to win the Golden Boy award.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n\n### Team Achievements\n- Ajax: Eredivisie (2018–19), KNVB Cup (2018–19)\n- Juventus: Serie A (2019–20), Coppa Italia (2020–21)\n- Bayern Munich: Bundesliga (2022–23)\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Golden Boy: 2018\n- Kopa Trophy: 2019\n- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2018–19\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nDe Ligt has received numerous acknowledgments, including being named in FIFA FIFPro World11, UEFA Team of the Year, and Bundesliga Team of the Season.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nDe Ligt is celebrated for his rapid rise in football, demonstrating exceptional maturity and skill, which have made him a key figure in international and club football.\n\n## Off the Field\nDetails of De Ligt's commercial activities or charity work are not provided in the source.\n\n## Personal Life\nDe Ligt married Annekee Molenaar, a Dutch model, on 7 June 2024, marking a significant milestone in his personal life outside of football.","stb_internal_id":"019300ea-7866-7953-9275-94c2737012d3","overrides":null,"type_code":"defender","position_type_code":"defender","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-back","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Matthijs de Ligt, born on 12 August 1999, is a renowned Dutch footballer known for his role as a centre-back. He plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the Netherlands national team. De Ligt's career, marked by his strength, leadership, and tactical adeptness, has seen him succeed at top clubs across Europe. Major achievements include winning the Golden Boy award in 2018 as the best under-21 player in Europe and leading Ajax to a domestic double in the 2018–19 season.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Matthijs de Ligt was born on 12 August 1999 in the Netherlands. His early years were shaped by a passion for football, nurtured in his local community of Abcoude, near Amsterdam.

Youth Career

De Ligt began his football journey at his local club before joining the Ajax youth academy at nine. Despite initial concerns about his pace and fitness, De Ligt developed rapidly, leading to significant achievements in his youth career. His time at Ajax youth featured him prominently, eventually paving his way to the senior team.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Ajax

De Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team on 21 September 2016, during a cup match against Willem II, where he scored a goal, becoming the club's second-youngest goalscorer. Over the following seasons, he became an integral part of Ajax, contributing to their historic run to the 2017 Europa League final and a domestic double in 2018–19.

Juventus

In July 2019, De Ligt transferred to Juventus for €75 million, where he continued to excel, helping them win the Serie A title in his first season and the Coppa Italia in 2020–21.

Bayern Munich

De Ligt signed with Bayern Munich in 2022, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga title win in his debut season.

Manchester United

In 2024, De Ligt joined Manchester United, making an immediate impact by scoring his first goal for the club in a victory against Southampton.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

De Ligt debuted for the Netherlands in 2017 at age 17, becoming the youngest starter since 1931. He has represented his country in major tournaments like UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and was integral to the Netherlands' success in the UEFA Nations League.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

De Ligt is a right-footed centre-back heralded for his height, strength, and exceptional leadership. His technical skills include clean tackling and precise passes, which allow him to contribute both defensively and in initiating attacks. His playing style is often compared to legends like Gerard Piqué and Ronald Koeman.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, De Ligt has consistently performed at the highest levels, appearing in numerous matches for prominent clubs and his national team, though specific statistical counts are not available in the provided source.

Records

De Ligt holds records for being the youngest player to start a major European final for Ajax and the youngest defender to win the Golden Boy award.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Ajax: Eredivisie (2018–19), KNVB Cup (2018–19)
Juventus: Serie A (2019–20), Coppa Italia (2020–21)
Bayern Munich: Bundesliga (2022–23)

Individual Achievements

Golden Boy: 2018
Kopa Trophy: 2019
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2018–19

Awards and Recognition

De Ligt has received numerous acknowledgments, including being named in FIFA FIFPro World11, UEFA Team of the Year, and Bundesliga Team of the Season.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

De Ligt is celebrated for his rapid rise in football, demonstrating exceptional maturity and skill, which have made him a key figure in international and club football.

Off the Field

Details of De Ligt's commercial activities or charity work are not provided in the source.

Personal Life

De Ligt married Annekee Molenaar, a Dutch model, on 7 June 2024, marking a significant milestone in his personal life outside of football.

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Matthijs de Ligt: Profile