De Ligt has been with the Dutch team for exactly seven years, but still has to prove himself

• Thierry Boon

  with the Dutch national team in Frankfurt

“A lot has happened in those seven years. Positive things, but also some negative things. Ultimately, I stand here as a proud man who can represent the Dutch national team.”

When Matthijs de Ligt (24) spoke to the press on Monday, a day before the practice match against the Germans, it was exactly seven years after his debut in the Dutch national team. A much-discussed debut, out of Bulgaria.

The 2-0 defeat in the qualifying series for the missed 2018 World Cup, where 17-year-old De Ligt – the youngest player in the Dutch team since the Second World War – played a negative leading role and was substituted at half-time by then national coach Danny Blind.

In retrospect, he was thrown to the lions a little too early, with a handful of starting places at Ajax on the counter. Despite the false start in Sofia, De Ligt was predicted to have a great future. In 2024, the cautious conclusion is that that prediction in Orange has not yet fully come true.

Of course there were wonderful actions. The striking header against England in the semi-final of the Nations League, or stealing the ball from Kylian Mbappé at speed, not exactly the slowest. But there was also an awkward red card after a handball against the Czech Republic, which led to the elimination from the 2020 European Championship.

Leadership, running ability, an impressive physique, heading power and an excellent pass. De Ligt, named the greatest talent in the world by France Football in 2019, has everything a modern defender could wish for.

Yet he is not always an undisputed basic player at both his clubs and the Dutch team. In Ronald Koeman’s first period as national coach (2018-2020). He was even the player with the most playing minutes. More than Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk. This decreased considerably under Louis van Gaal.

Contrary to his own expectations, De Ligt started the World Cup in Qatar with a starting place against Senegal (2-0 win), but he felt anything but comfortable in Van Gaal’s backline with three centre-backs. “It was difficult for me,” De Ligt said afterwards.

“That also depends a bit on this system. I often played as a right back and that is of course not me. Perhaps someone like Jurriën Timber is better suited for the role that Van Gaal wants.” And so it happened: De Ligt lost his place to Timber.

“I did regret those statements,” De Ligt now reflects. “I said that shortly after a match in which things went a bit less. You are still high in emotion. It was uncertainty.”

Koeman also currently opts for three centre-backs. “I can do it too and I know that. At Bayern I don’t do anything differently. There we also have three defenders in the build-up and I often end up on the side. But whether you play with five or three defenders: you must perform.”

De Ligt is disappointed with his statements during the World Cup in Qatar: ‘I regret it’

As the youngest debutant ever in the Dutch team, the path to a record number of international matches seemed open. With 134 games, the record is held by Wesley Sneijder. De Ligt could have had 79 international matches since his debut.

However, he has just over half that number: 43. Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Sneijder all achieved that number of international matches at a younger age.

De Ligt’s last starting position in the Dutch team was three international matches ago, partly due to injuries. Of the eleven international matches played in Koeman’s second period, De Ligt was only on the field at kick-off twice.

Koeman: ‘We have to be better against Germany, but that doesn’t seem difficult to me’

“There is just a lot of competition at the center back of the Dutch team,” says De Ligt. “It’s about being there in the matches you get. I know that if I am concentrated, I can play a very good match.”

He, the experienced youngster with more than 350 (!) professional matches under his belt, is once again given the opportunity by Koeman against the Germans. And he hopes to be able to prove himself, with a view to the European Championships this summer.

“There is not only a proud man here, but also someone who has experienced many matches in recent years, knows what is required, hopes to be able to help the team and also support other teammates with fewer international matches.”