De Ligt finally names his long time source of inspiration

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” This Oprah Winfrey’s wise quote has also found its root in the football world as Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt finally reveals which player has been inspiring him.

De Ligt has been hitting the headlines recently as big clubs are eagerly looking for his signature this summer after producing a brilliant showpiece in the last season.

The young Ajax captain helped his club lift their domestic double; Eredivisie and KNVB Cup titles. He also steered Ajax to reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, being bundled out by Tottenham Hotspur.

As it is usual, every great player has a source of inspiration. De Ligt has named Jan Vertonghen as the player he has been looking up to the most.

“The defender I looked up to the most was Jan Vertonghen. At Ajax he was number four and captain. I was a big fan of Jan Vertonghen. I still am. I think he was my biggest role model,” said De Ligt.

Vertonghen is a Belgian professional footballer who currently plays for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur as a central defender but can also play the left back position.

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He began his senior career at Dutch side Ajax in 2006 and was featured in 220 games and 28 goals for them across all competitions, serving as their captain from 2011 to 2012.

He won two Eredivisie and two KNVB Cup titles during his time at the club, and in 2012 he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.

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Vertonghen moved to Tottenham in July 2012, and made the PFA Team of the Year in his first Premier League season, going on to make over 200 appearances for Spurs and winning their player of the year award in 2018.

The Belgian steered Spurs to successfully finish in the embattled top-four position and were the runners up in the Champions League competition after being beaten by Liverpool 2-0 at Madrid.

Arguably, it can be deduced that De Ligt has been looking up to the right person and that is why he has emerged as one of the most adored defenders in our time.

The 19-year-old currently plays for Ajax but is set to move to a new club of his choice next season, a decision that many are waiting to hear when he comes back from vacation.

 

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