Matthijs de Ligt
Awards & Honours
15
Awards Won
7
Rankings
3
Covers
3
Records
Matthijs de Ligt's trophy cabinet reflects a career of consistent success. He is the first defender ever to win the Golden Boy award, and his Kopa Trophy in 2019 cemented his status as the world's best young player. At club level, he has won league titles in three different countries: the Eredivisie with Ajax, Serie A with Juventus, and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. His leadership as the youngest captain in Ajax's Champions League history helped the club reach the semifinals in 2019, eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus. These achievements, combined with over 50 caps for the Netherlands, place him among the most decorated defenders of his generation.
Awards
Rankings & Lists
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Players in the World
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Players in the World
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Players in the World
Goal 50
The Guardian's 100 Best Footballers in the World
The Guardian's 100 Best Footballers in the World
The Guardian's 100 Best Footballers in the World
Magazine Covers
FourFourTwo (Netherlands edition)
July 2019
De Ligt: The New Dutch Master
Sportweek (Netherlands)
May 2019
The Captain
Voetbal International
2019
Champions League run cover
Records & Feats
First defender to win the Golden Boy award
De Ligt became the first defender in history to win the Golden Boy award in 2018.
Youngest player to start a major European final
At 17 years and 285 days, he started the 2017 Europa League final for Ajax against Manchester United.
Youngest Dutch international starter since 1931
He made his senior debut for the Netherlands at age 17, the youngest starter since 1931.