Dutch · Leiderdorp, Netherlands · Born 12 August 1999Prodigiously talented Dutch centre-back who captained Ajax to the Champions League semi-final as a teenager before joining Europe's elite clubs.
Matthijs de Ligt was born in Leiderdorp, Netherlands on 12 August 1999. He became Ajax's youngest captain and led them to the 2019 Champions League semi-final at just 19, winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup. He won the Golden Boy award in 2018. He joined Juventus in 2019 for €75 million, winning two Serie A titles. He moved to Bayern Munich in 2022 for €67 million and then Manchester United in 2024 for £45 million. His aerial ability, passing and maturity beyond his years are exceptional. He has earned over 45 caps for the Netherlands.
Youngest captain to lead a team to Champions League semi-finals at age 19
He captained Ajax to the Champions League semi-final at just 19 years old, becoming one of the youngest captains in the competition's history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Commanding centre-back with exceptional aerial ability, leadership qualities, and ball-playing skills
Lasting Impact
De Ligt represents a new generation of technically gifted centre-backs who can defend solidly while contributing significantly to their team's possession-based football.
Career Honours
- Eredivisie 2019
- Serie A 2x
- Golden Boy 2018
- Eredivisie 2018-19
- KNVB Cup 2018-19
- Serie A 2019-20
- Serie A 2021-22
- Bundesliga 2022-23
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | 2016–2019 | — | 117 | 5 | #4 |
| Juventus | 2019–2022 | €85.5m | 168 | 40 | #21 |
| Bayern Munich | 2022–2024 | €67m | 105 | 53 | #21 |
 Netherlands | — | — | 47 | 2 | — |
Dutch Athletes