Tijjani Reijnders, AC Milan’s Dutch midfielder, recently opened up about his footballing journey in an interview with Lega Serie A’s official channel, where he revealed the legendary players who inspired him. Reijnders highlighted Brazilian icon Ronaldinho as his first football idol, praising his mesmerizing skills and infectious style of play. As he matured as a player, Reijnders also came to admire Lionel Messi, whose exceptional talent and vision continue to motivate him.
“When I was very young, my idol was always Ronaldinho, then I admired the genius of Lionel Messi,” Reijnders shared. He also recalled kicking his first ball at the age of five in his garden, sparking his love for the game. Although he hasn’t yet had the chance to meet either of his idols, he expressed his desire to do so in the future.
Since joining AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, Reijnders has played a key role in the team. Despite Milan’s slow start to the season, with a recent 2-1 loss to Fiorentina leaving them five points behind Napoli, Reijnders is confident the club can push for the Scudetto this term.
Looking ahead, Milan will return to Serie A action with a crucial home match against Udinese, who currently sit one place above them in the standings. Reijnders will be a player to watch as the team aims to climb up the table and close the gap on the league leaders.