Future Watch: Matthijs de Ligt Rookie Soccer Cards, Netherlands – Defender Matthijs de Ligt is one of the most interesting players I have written about for Future Watch. He made his first appearance with the senior team for Ajax back in the 2016-17 campaign at the tender age of 17. He was the youngest player ever to appear in a European final when Ajax faced Manchester United in the Europa League final in 2017. The next season, de Ligt became the first defender to win the Golden Boy award.
In 2018-19, he helped lead the Dutch powerhouse to the Champions League semifinals. His Ajax side knocked out Italian giants Juventus to get there. So what did Juve do in response? They paid 75 million euros for his services to bring him to Serie A.
But, what now for the 20-year old? He hasn’t had the easiest transition into the Italian top flight. There are still plenty of questions to be answered by the talented de Ligt. What cannot be questioned is his natural ability. He has good size but is not lumbering. De Ligt can handle the ball well with both feet. He reads the game nicely and knows when he has to dive in to make a goal saving tackle. Strong in the air, he adds to his overall game by having a good eye for a pass forward to start his team on their way.
What remains to be seen is how he eventually settles in for Juve. They are a giant in world football and are seemingly always the favorite to win the scudetto. That puts the Old Lady firmly in the Champions League conversation each season and we know what that can do to enhance a player’s reputation (much like it did for de Ligt before his move to Juve).
If he doesn’t find his footing long term in Italy, there is still a future for him. But how will that affect how he is viewed by the footballing world?
De Ligt got his debut for the Netherlands when he was just 17 and leading the Oranje back to glory at the World Cup is not out of the realm of possibility for him as well.
Collectors looking for Matthijs de Ligt cards will find them in 2018-19 Panini Immaculate, 2018-19 Donruss, 2019-20 Panini Gold Standard and Topps Living Sets.
Future Watch: Matthijs de Ligt Rookie Soccer Cards, Netherlands – Stats
| Playing Time | Performance | Per 90 Minutes | Expected | Per 90 Minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Squad | Country | Comp | LgRank | MP | Starts | Min | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | CrdY | CrdR | Gls | Ast | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | xG | npxG | xA | xG | xA | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches |
| 2016-2017 | 16 | Jong Ajax | nl NED | 2. Eerste Divisie | 2nd | 17 | 17 | 1,508 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2016-2017 | 16 | Ajax | nl NED | 1. Dutch Eredivisie | 2nd | 11 | 6 | 567 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.32 | 0.00 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.32 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2017-2018 | 17 | Ajax | nl NED | 1. Dutch Eredivisie | 2nd | 33 | 33 | 2,913 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.15 | 0.09 | 0.15 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2018-2019 | 18 | Ajax | nl NED | 1. Dutch Eredivisie | 1st | 33 | 33 | 2,970 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.12 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2019-2020 | 19 | Juventus | it ITA | 1. Serie A | 1st | 14 | 12 | 1,165 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | Matches |
| 4 Seasons | 3 Clubs | 3 Leagues | 108 | 101 | 9,123 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.13 | 0.10 | 0.13 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | ||||
| Country | Comp | LgRank | MP | Starts | Min | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | CrdY | CrdR | Gls | Ast | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | xG | npxG | xA | xG | xA | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches | |||
| Ajax (3 Seasons) | 1 League | 77 | 72 | 6,450 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.15 | |||||||||||||
| Jong Ajax (1 Season) | 1 League | 17 | 17 | 1,508 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | |||||||||||||
| Juventus (1 Season) | 1 League | 14 | 12 | 1,165 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | |||||
| Dutch Eredivisie (3 Seasons) | 77 | 72 | 6,450 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.15 | ||||||||||||||
| Eerste Divisie (1 Season) | 17 | 17 | 1,508 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | ||||||||||||||
| Serie A (1 Season) | 14 | 12 | 1,165 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | ||||||
Future Watch: Matthijs de Ligt Rookie Soccer Cards, Netherlands – More Resources
- ESPN.com Player Profile – Matthijs de Ligt
- Matthijs de Ligt – Secondary Market Pricing
- Follow Matthijs de Ligt on Instagram @mdeligt_
Future Watch: Matthijs de Ligt Rookie Soccer Cards, Netherlands – Image Gallery
Read more 2020 Soccer Future Watch profiles below:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
- Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid
- Erling Haland, Borussia Dortmund
- Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid
- Jefferson Savarino, Atletico Mineiro
- Timothy Weah, USMNT
For more from Dave Denhom, follow him on Twitter @TalkSoccer.
Hosted afternoon sports talk show for two different Los Angeles sports talk stations. Pre/Post game radio host for various sports teams including the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, USC Football and UCLA basketball.
Currently on air at NBC sports radio, ESPN, Total Traffic & Weather Network and Fox sports.
- Future Watch: Takefusa Kubo Rookie Soccer Cards, Real Madrid - September 22, 2021
- Future Watch: Keaton Parks Rookie Soccer Cards, NYCFC - September 22, 2021
- Future Watch: Eduardo Camavinga Soccer Cards, Stade Rennais FC - February 12, 2021