Manchester United star Matthijs de Ligt revealed why the Red Devils have always held a special place in his heart, and it all traces back to two club icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar. Long before he became one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders, De Ligt was just a football-obsessed kid in the Netherlands. He might have come through Ajax’s legendary academy, but beneath that red-and-white shirt, his footballing heart was always rooted for United.
From Ajax prodigy to United star
For De Ligt, the journey to Old Trafford has been long and winding. He rose through Ajax’s ranks and guided them to a stunning domestic double and an unforgettable Champions League semi-final run in 2019. United had come knocking before, but fate took him elsewhere. Instead, De Ligt joined Juventus in 2019 for £65.3 million. It was a move that would make his admiration for Ronaldo grow even deeper as he got the opportunity to share a dressing room with his childhood hero. That gave him a first-hand look at the relentless mentality that defines greatness.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe boy who dreamt of Old Trafford
Speaking to , De Ligt revealed that one of the very first football shirts he owned was a Ronaldo No.7 United jersey.
“It was the time that Cristiano became Cristiano. Everybody knew Cristiano at United,” he said. "There was also [Edwin] Van der Sar at United at that time and they played Champions League finals. As a kid, naturally, you looked to the Champions League finals and there was United and Ronaldo. So I was always a big Ronaldo fan and a fan of United because of that.
“They tried to buy me before, but it was probably not the right moment, or there were other options that at that time suited me better. But in the end maybe destiny brought me here… it’s a dream for every player to play for United.”
During his time in Turin, De Ligt witnessed Ronaldo day in and out. Speaking to Tuttosport, he called the Portuguese superstar “the best of his generation" as the GOAT debate with Lionel Messi rages on.
“Ronaldo is the best of his generation and a huge example for young players,” the Dutchman said. "I always try to improve the way I play by watching him because even in training he has a crazy intensity and you wonder if he really is 35 years old."
Ronaldo’s future: A shock return to United on the cards?
While De Ligt lives out his dream at Old Trafford, Ronaldo's name continues to swirl around the club he once lit up. Danny Simpson has dropped a stunning hint that CR7 could indeed one day return to Manchester, this time in a leadership or directorial role.
Speaking to GOAL, Simpson said: “I wouldn’t say no. If you look at his mentality, he obviously cares about the club. I think he would say that because he would like to come back again but in another way. I don’t think he liked the way he left so he’d like to come back and make United great again, on some kind of level making decisions.
"The business side is obviously very different, but he’s also a businessman. You can’t knock that team he’s got around him. I’d love him to because I think he’s got a lot to offer, even on that side of the game going forward. Just his mentality and everything he does, he achieves it. That’s what United need."
While no one knows what the next chapter holds for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, one thing is certain that Ronaldo’s legacy is far from over. The 40-year-old continues to defy time in Saudi Arabia, where he leads the line for Al-Nassr. He’ll be back in action this weekend against Al-Fateh, looking to add to his goal tally and keep their title chase alive. His side has made a perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season, winning four in a row, and Ronaldo’s fire still burns as bright as ever.
Wes Brown once speculated about Ronaldo's future and said, "You never know what Cristiano Ronaldo wants to do, but you can’t doubt him after everything he’s achieved. I think first of all, it depends how he’s doing in Saudi Arabia, because it’s not clear he’ll be stopping any time soon – he’s still banging them in for Al Nassr. But he could definitely move into the boardroom, he’s got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he’s enjoying it, it’ll be perfect for him."
While Quinton Fortune opined, "Could Cristiano Ronaldo be a coach? I think he could do anything he puts his mind to. We’ve seen it first-hand during his career. At Manchester United, I could see him as a part-owner, he’s done incredible things in football and also financially, anything is possible because he loves the club. The club still loves him with the amazing memories he created there, if he got an opportunity behind the scenes, I think he’d jump to be a part of it.
@cristiano InstagramDe Ligt’s big test at Anfield
De Ligt’s focus is now on United's trip to Anfield to face Liverpool. With Alexander Isak fully fit and ready to fire on all cylinders, the Dutchman will have his work cut out keeping one of the Premier League’s deadliest forwards quiet.
“We know the magnitude of it,” De Ligt says of the fixture. “I walked down the street yesterday and several people said to me, ‘Hey, Sunday’s the game!’ You feel around here what it means. We already know that as players. But, besides that, we also know that it’s really important for us to get a result because we’re improving. But we have to keep winning.”