.jpg) De Ligt withBayern Munich in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthijs de Ligt[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1999-08-12)12 August 1999 (age 26)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Leiderdorp, Netherlands | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre-back | ||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team | Manchester United | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| Abcoude | |||||||||||||||||
| –2016 | Ajax | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Jong Ajax | 17 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2019 | Ajax | 77 | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2022 | Juventus | 87 | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Bayern Munich | 53 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Manchester United | 41 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Netherlands U15 | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Netherlands U16 | 8 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Netherlands U17 | 14 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Netherlands U19 | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017– | Netherlands | 52 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 08:12, 25 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:41, 17 November 2025 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||
Matthijs de Ligt (born 12 August 1999) is a Dutch professionalfootballer who plays as acentre-back forPremier League clubManchester United and theNetherlands national team.
De Ligt made his debut forAjax's senior team in September 2016 in a cup game againstWillem II. He scored from a corner after 25 minutes, making him the club's second-youngest goalscorer ever behindClarence Seedorf.[4] On 24 May 2017, De Ligt became the youngest ever player (aged 17 years and 285 days) to appear in a considerable European final when he started againstManchester United in theEuropa League final.[5] In December 2018, he won theGolden Boy award given to the year's best footballer in Europe under the age of 21, becoming the first defender to do so.[6] Thefollowing season, De Ligt helped Ajax capture adomestic double and reach the semi-finals of theChampions League.
De Ligt's performances earned him a move toSerie A clubJuventus in 2019, shortly before being awarded theKopa Trophy for world's best under-21 player of the year. He would go on to help the Turin side retain theleague title in his first season and reclaim theItalian Cup in his second. After three years in Italy, De Ligt would then join Bundesliga championsBayern Munich in 2022, again capturing aleague title in his first season.
In 2017, De Ligt made his senior international debut for the Netherlands at the age of 17, making him the youngest player to start for the national team since 1931.[7] He has earned more than 50 caps, and featured for the side atUEFA Euro 2020 and the2022 FIFA World Cup.
De Ligt joined the Ajax youth academy when he was nine years old from hislocal club inAbcoude, just outside ofAmsterdam.[8] 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.[9]
He made his debut forJong Ajax on 8 August 2016 in anEerste Divisie game againstEmmen, playing the full game.[10] During the season, De Ligt played in 17 matches for Jong Ajax.[11]
On 21 September, De Ligt made his debut for Ajax's senior team in a cup game againstWillem II.[12][13] He scored from a corner after 25 minutes, making him the second-youngest goalscorer ever behindClarence Seedorf; Ajax won the game 5–0.[4] On 24 October, Ajax announced through Twitter that De Ligt had been promoted to the senior squad.[14]
De Ligt quickly entrenched himself in the first team after being promoted and went on to play in 11 league matches and nine in theEuropa League.[15] 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 againstManchester United in the2017 UEFA Europa League Final.[5][non-primary source needed]
After the sale ofDavinson Sánchez toTottenham Hotspur in August 2017, De Ligt became a first-team starter. He was named the youngestcaptain of Ajax in March 2018 after injury to club captainJoël Veltman.[16]
De Ligt appeared in 37 matches in all competitions and scored three goals.[17] He started in all of his 31 league matches and played 90 minutes in all but one of them (he was substituted in the 33rd minute againstVitesse due to an injury).[15] Due to De Ligt's performances for Ajax, he was linked with many of Europe's top clubs.[18]
On 17 December 2018, De Ligt won theGolden Boy award,[19] becoming the first defender to win the award.[6] On 13 February 2019, De Ligt became the youngest ever captain in aChampions League knockout game at 19 years and 186 days old, in a game againstReal Madrid.[20] On 27 February 2019, he played his 100th official game for Ajax in a 0–3Klassieker win againstFeyenoord in theDutch national cup, becoming the youngest Ajax player ever to reach this milestone.[21]
On 16 April 2019, De Ligt scored the winning goal in the Champions League quarter-final againstJuventus to send Ajax on to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since the1996–97 edition of the tournament.[22][23] His goal also saw him become the youngest Dutch player to score in the knockout stages sinceNordin Wooter in 1996 and the second-youngest ever defender to score afterJoël Matip.[24]
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On 18 July 2019, De Ligt signed forSerie A championsJuventus on a five-year contract for a fee of €75 million,[25] to be paid in five annual instalments, with additional costs of €10.5 million.[17] He made his official debut for the club in a 4–3 home win overNapoli in Serie A on 31 August.[26] On 3 November, he scored his first for the club in a 1–0 away win over cross-city rivalsTorino in theDerby della Mole.[27][28]
On 19 July 2022, De Ligt signed forBundesliga championsBayern Munich on five-year contract for a reported initial fee of €67 million,[29] potentially rising to €77 million in add-ons.[30][29] On 21 August, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 7–0 away win overBochum.[31]
On 8 March 2023, at theChampions League round of 16-second leg, he made a goal-line clearance againstParis Saint-Germain, after goalkeeperYann Sommer lost the ball under pressure, to keep the goalless draw and scoreline at 1–0 on aggregate.[32][33] The match ended in a 2–0 victory and qualification to the quarter-final.[34] On 8 April, he scored the only goal from 25 yards (23 m) in a 1–0 away win overFreiburg, four days after a 2–1 defeat against the same opponent in theDFB-Pokal quarter-finals.[35] That strike was voted Bayern's goal of the month in the Bundesliga.[36] He was also voted player of the month in both March and April.[37]
In the first half of the2023–24 season, he sustained recurring injuries in his right knee, which led to him being surpassed byDayot Upamecano andKim Min-jae in the starting line-up under coachThomas Tuchel.[38][39] During the latter part of the season, de Ligt forged a robust partnership with newly acquiredEric Dier, contributing significantly to the club's advancement in theChampions League.[40]
In the 2024 summertransfer window, De Ligt attracted substantial interest from several top European clubs, particularlyManchester United. On 9 July 2024, it was reported that De Ligt had agreed personal terms with the Manchester side and a transfer looked likely.[41] It was reported a transfer worth an initial €45 million plus €5 million in bonuses was agreed between the two clubs.[42] On 13 August, Manchester United confirmed the transfer, with De Ligt signing a five-year contract.[43] On 16 August, he made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win, as a substitute, againstFulham in the league.[44][45] On 14 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win againstSouthampton atSt Mary's Stadium in the league.[46] On 8 November, he scored his first goal of the season, scoring a 96th minute equaliser againstTottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw.[47]
De Ligt played youth international football for the Netherlands at under-15,under-16,[48]under-17,[49] andunder-19 levels.[50]
On 25 March 2017, De Ligt made his debut for theDutch senior squad in a 2–0 away defeat againstBulgaria during2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.[7] At the age of 17, he became the youngest player to start for the national team since 1931.[7] He was sent off in his second appearance, a 2–1 friendly victory againstMorocco on 17 May.[51]
During the group stage of the2018–19 UEFA Nations League, De Ligt started and played 90 minutes in all four matches againstGermany andFrance. On 24 March 2019, De Ligt scored his first goal for the Netherlands in a 3–2 loss againstGermany duringUEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[52]
In May 2019, De Ligt was named in the Netherlands' squad forthe inaugural Nations League Finals.[53] On 5 June 2019, he scored a header in a 3–1 victory againstEngland at the semi-final stage.[54] Four days later, he started alongside captainVirgil van Dijk in central defence as the Netherlands were defeated 1–0 by hostsPortugal inthe final.[55]
De Ligt was a member of the Netherlands' squad forUEFA Euro 2020. After missing the team's opening match againstUkraine, he made his tournament debut againstAustria on 17 June 2021.[56] De Ligt was sent off for handball in the Netherlands' 2–0 loss to theCzech Republic at the round of 16 stage on 27 June.[57]
On 14 June 2022, De Ligt served as captain of the Netherlands for the first time in a 3–2 victory againstWales in the2022–23 UEFA Nations League.[58] In November, he was named in the Dutch squad for the2022 FIFA World Cup, where he started the team's opening match againstSenegal and appeared as a substitute in a 3–1 victory against theUnited States in the round of 16.[59] After being initially named in the Netherlands' squad for the2023 UEFA Nations League Finals, De Ligt was forced to withdraw due to a calf injury and was replaced byDaley Blind.[60]
On 29 May 2024, De Ligt was named in the Netherlands' squad forUEFA Euro 2024.[61] However, he did not feature in any match throughout the tournament.[62]
De Ligt was considered by pundits to be among the most highly regarded young prospects in world football, as demonstrated by his victory in the 2018Golden Boy award, which is assigned to the most impressive young player in European football.[63][64]
Having played as anattacking-midfielder in his youth,[65] De Ligt is both a physical and technically gifted right-footedcentre-back,[66][67] who is known for his clean tackling, anticipation, marking, height, strength and accurate passing, which enables him to start attacking plays from the back. His height allows him to be a major threat fromset pieces, while his strength means that he is unlikely to be pushed off the ball, particularly in aerial duels.[67][68][69][70] His playing style is often compared to that ofBarcelona defenderGerard Piqué;[71][72] he has also been likened toJan Vertonghen, due to his "similar forward surges, a propensity to create an extra man in midfield, and calmness on the ball," and to compatriotRonald Koeman, courtesy of his "powerful shot and body strength."[73]
A 2019UEFA.com profile described De Ligt as a "natural leader [who] is an elegant two-footed central defender. Dominant in the air, he is blessed with strength, fine distribution and composure, and is able to play out from the back thanks to his confidence in possession, while his intelligent positioning helps him deny pacy forwards. With his ability to read the game, he could even play in midfield. His leadership also stands him out: he was 18 when he was made Ajax skipper."[73] That same year, Paul Wilkes ofThe Independent wrote that "De Ligt's ability to play out from the back and organise his fellow teammates are valuable commodities in a time when the lack of quality defenders has been highlighted."[74]
FormerLiverpool andEngland defenderJamie Carragher praised De Ligt for his "physical attributes" and "leadership qualities". Carragher also said he plays "like he's 24 or 25" indicating maturity and strength.[75][76][77] Of De Ligt, former Netherlands centre-backJaap Stam said: "He's got composure on the ball, he's aggressive tactically, he sees the game, he reads the game well and he's got that driving force for himself as well in what you need to achieve and where you want to go to."[73] Upon signing with Juventus,Marcello Lippi, one of the club's former managers, said of the defender's precocious performances: "I've seen plenty of greats, likeAlessandro Nesta,Franco Baresi,Paolo Maldini,Ciro Ferrara,Fabio Cannavaro, andMarco Materazzi. I've never seen anyone like that at his age."[73]
In 2019, Giacomo Chiuchiolo described De Ligt as a "complete" and talented young defender, saying that although he is not exceptionally quick, he possesses excellent positioning and an ability to read the game, among his other technical and physical qualities.[78] Despite his talent, he has at times come under criticism in the media for being inconsistent due to his tendency to commit occasional lapses or errors. In October 2019, hisJuventus defensive teammateLeonardo Bonucci said he believes that De Ligt will overcome these weaknesses with time, as he matures and gains more experience with age, and successfully adapts to the team's new defensive strategy under managerMaurizio Sarri, who uses azonal marking system rather thanman-to-man marking.[79]
On 7 June 2024, De Ligt married his long time girlfriend, Annekee Molenaar, a Dutch model and daughter ofKeje Molenaar.[80] In July 2025, they split after a year, due to lifestyle incompatibility.[81]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jong Ajax | 2016–17 | Eerste Divisie | 17 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||||
| Ajax | 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 9[c] | 0 | — | 23 | 3 | ||
| 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[d] | 0 | — | 39 | 3 | |||
| 2018–19 | Eredivisie | 33 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | 17[e] | 3 | — | 55 | 7 | |||
| Total | 77 | 8 | 10 | 2 | — | 30 | 3 | — | 117 | 13 | ||||
| Juventus | 2019–20 | Serie A | 29 | 4 | 4 | 0 | — | 6[e] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 4 | |
| 2020–21 | Serie A | 27 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 5[e] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22 | Serie A | 31 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | 7[e] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 3 | ||
| Total | 87 | 8 | 12 | 0 | — | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 8 | |||
| Bayern Munich | 2022–23 | Bundesliga | 31 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | 7[e] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 43 | 3 | |
| 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 6[e] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 30 | 2 | ||
| Total | 53 | 5 | 5 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 73 | 5 | |||
| Manchester United | 2024–25 | Premier League | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | — | 42 | 2 | |
| 2025–26 | Premier League | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||
| Total | 41 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 55 | 3 | |||
| Career total | 275 | 25 | 29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 70 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 379 | 30 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 52 | 2 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 March 2019 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 15 |  Germany | 1–2 | 2–3 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying | [84] |
| 2 | 6 June 2019 | Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimarães, Portugal | 16 |  England | 1–1 | 3–1 (a.e.t.) | 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals | [85] |
Ajax
Juventus
Bayern Munich
Manchester United
Netherlands
Individual
Netherlands squads | |||||||||||||||||||
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| International | |
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| National | |
