The Dutch defender is eager to become a superstar in Turin, but is aware that he has to go his own way.
Matthijs de Ligt insists he won’t ‘copy’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon’s methods in a bid to become a full-fledged superstar, but Dutch defender looks to Juventus icons for inspiration and learn from the best. At 21, the much-loved Dutch international center-back is still learning his craft – despite being a former Ajax captain and a man getting closer to 200 club appearances.
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He has the perfect mentors around him in Turin, with a World Cup-winning goalkeeper and a Portuguese striker who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, setting the standard to which any promising youngster aspires. De Ligt told The Telegraph about his apprenticeship and playing with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates: “JI am where I want to be and where I can learn as much as possible. There are experienced guys – [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci – but also a goalkeeper like Buffon and Cristiano Ronaldo “.
“We all have our different characteristics and I am not trying to copy them but I watch Cristiano Ronaldo and I see what he does, how he stays in shape all the time. I ask for tips, advice. What I do Also learned is that I have to do things that are good for me. Ultimately, you find your own pace. “, added the former Ajax Amsterdam captain.
The Dutch defender also spoke on the good side of rubbing shoulders with Gianluigi Buffon who is 43 years old, more than double his age: “Well he could be my dad! It’s funny because when I see him and the way he behaves I don’t think he’s twice my age and that’s his strength too and why he’s still playing. He’s playing with the head of a 29-year-old man. “.
“The art of defending is always expecting the worst”
Having had the choice of the best European clubs when he decided to take the plunge and leave his homeland in the summer of 2019, De Ligt is expected to see a meteoric rise to continue in Italy. A tough first campaign with the Serie A heavyweight has seen observers question whether he can reach his undoubted potential at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Transfer rumors continue to surface at regular intervals, suggesting that another move could be considered, but De Ligt is determined to prove his worth with the Bianconeri.
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Matthijs De Ligt has made 21 appearances in all competitions under Andrea Pirlo this season, keeping him on a steep learning curve. De Ligt added on his quest for continuous improvement: “The art of defending is always expecting the worst. There are a lot of players who bet it will be good for the team, but I always think: ‘What if my teammate loses the ball? ‘he (the opponent) gets the ball in the middle? “.
“So I always think that way and that way you won’t be so surprised because you can be as fast as you can or as strong as you can, but if you don’t you will always come a second too late or even a millisecond too late. That’s the most important thing I’ve learned here, “concluded De Ligt. Juventus will be back in action on Tuesday in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Porto, who currently lead 2-1 after the first leg.
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