Since the 2018/19 season, at the latest, the entire European football world had de Ligt in their sights. At just 19 years old, he captained Ajax to their first double since the 2001/02 season, clinching the Dutch championship and the KNVB Cup. Internationally, the young Ajax team caused a sensation in the Champions League. After finishing second behind FC Bayern (first leg 1-1, second leg 3-3) in the group stage, de Ligt and company eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus Turin in the knockout stage. In the semi-finals, Ajax fell unluckily to Tottenham Hotspurs (1-0 away win, 3-2 home loss). In 2018, de Ligt received the “Golden Boy” award as the best under-21 player, and in the 18/19 season he was voted Dutch footballer of the year.
Transfer to Juventus
—
