Matthijs de Ligt (Dutch pronunciation born 12 August 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for Ajax, who he captains, and the Netherlands national football team.
On 21 September 2016, de Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team in a cup game against Willem II. He scored from a corner after 25 minutes, making him the second-youngest goalscorer ever behind Clarence Seedorf.[3] On 24 May, he became the youngest player ever (17 years and 285 days old) to play in a major European final when he started against Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final.[4] On 17 December 2018, de Ligt won the Golden Boy award, becoming the first defender to win the award.[5]
In 2017, de Ligt made his debut for the Netherlands at the age of 17, making him the youngest player to start for the national team since 1931
De Ligt joined the Ajax youth academy when he was 9 years old from his local club in Abcoude, just outside of Amsterdam. At first the coaches at the youth academy thought he was too slow and out of shape, but he was given a chance to develop in the academy and went on to prove his quality.
2016–17: Jong Ajax and development
He made his debut for Jong Ajax on 8 August 2016 in an Eerste Divisie game against FC Emmen, playing the full game. During the season, de Ligt played in 17 matches for Jong Ajax.
On 21 September, de Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team in a cup game against Willem II. He scored from a corner after 25 minutes, making him the second-youngest goalscorer ever behind Clarence Seedorf; Ajax won the game 5–0. On 24 October, Ajax announced through Twitter that de Ligt had been promoted to the senior squad.
De Ligt quickly established himself in the first team after being promoted and went on to play in 11 league matches and nine in the Europa League. On 24 May, he became the youngest player ever (17 years and 285 days old) to play in a major European final when he started against Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final.
International career
On 25 March 2017, de Ligt made his debut for the Dutch national team in a 2–0 away defeat to Bulgaria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match. National team coach, Danny Blind, called de Ligt up for the national team despite having only started two league games for Ajax. At the age of 17, he became the youngest player to start for the national team since 1931.
During the UEFA Nations League, de Ligt started and played 90 minutes in all four group matches against Germany and France as the Netherlands won the group and qualified for the Nations League Finals.
Awards
Awarded as the best player of the AEGON Future Cup (U17) - 2015.
Awarded as the best player of the Copa Amsterdam (U19) - 2015.
Elected as Biggest Talent of Ajax youth academy 'de Toekomst' - 2016.
Youngest starting player of a Dutch club in an European competition.
In his league debut for Ajax Amsterdam, he scored a goal and was, after Clarence Seedorf, the second youngest Ajax scorer.
First minor player who entered the game as a Dutch captain in Dutch professional football.
The youngest player ever in a UEFA European club final.
Youngest debutant of the Dutch national team since 1945.
The youngest captain in the history of Ajax Amsterdam.
Amsterdam talent of the year - 2017.
Winner of the Johan Cruijff Prize - 2018.
Winner of the "Golden Boy" Award - 2018.
The youngest captain in the knock-out phase of the Champions League on 19 and 186 days.
