10 Rare Facts About Tijjani Reijnders From Youth Days
- Think Football Ideas
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Full Name: Tijjani Martinus Jan Reijnders
Date of Birth: 29 July 1998
Place of Birth: Zwolle, Netherlands
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s): Midfielder
Current Club: Man City
Before Manchester City fans start Googling “how to pronounce Reijnders,” let’s pause because this isn’t just another midfield signing, it’s a full-blown origin story - a career stitched together with grit, guts, and some truly unexpected pit stops.
From lower-league limbo to headline moves, the journey of Tijjani Reijnders is anything but boring. So, grab your metaphorical boots, we’re diving deep path that took him to the global stage.
Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About Tijjani Reijnders - The Midfield Gem
1. He Had An Adventurous Youth Career
Tijjani Reijnders didn’t exactly cruise down the typical highway to football stardom, his early journey looked more like a scenic, twisty mountain pass. He kicked things off at FC Twente's youth setup, battling it out until the U-17 level. But in 2015, the club released him, a moment that could’ve derailed the dream.
Instead, he dusted himself off and spent a gritty year with CSV '28. Then came a crucial move in 2016 to PEC Zwolle's U-19 side. Just a year later, he was knocking on the first team’s door. From a youth team cast-off to the pro ranks in about 24 months? Yes, that's a plot twist no scout saw coming.
2. Reijnders Has A Mixed Heritage - Dutch-Indonesian Descent
Reijnders isn’t just blending passes in midfield, his roots are a beautiful blend, too. His father, born in the Dutch city of Zwolle, grounds Tijjani firmly in the Netherlands. But his mother, Angelina Lekatompessy, adds a whole different cultural thread, she's of Moluccan descent, from the Indonesian archipelago.
That makes Reijnders part of a proud lineage of Dutch-Indonesian footballers, carrying flair and fire in his DNA. It’s not just about where you play, it’s about where you come from, and in his case, it’s quite the rich interwoven nature of different cultural traditions.
3. He Is The Son Of Ex-Footballer Martin Reijnders
Football wasn’t just in Tijjani’s life, it was quite literally at the breakfast table. His father, Martin Reijnders, played the game professionally, and that influence ran deep.
Growing up around the game, learning the mental and physical grind from someone who lived it? That's gold. Martin’s experience helped shape Tijjani’s perspective, discipline, and awareness on the pitch. It’s like having a coach at home, minus the bibs and cones in the living room (hopefully).
4. He Once Worked At A Local Aldi Supermarket
Long before the bright lights of San Siro or Etihad, Tijjani Reijnders was clocking shifts at a local Aldi in Zwolle. Not because he had to suffer through some underdog storyline, but because that was just part of life.
A normal job, a normal rhythm. Stocking shelves, helping customers, and learning the value of routine and patience. It wasn’t a detour, it was part of the map. And maybe, just maybe, it helped him see the game, and life, with a little more clarity. Sometimes it’s the ordinary that sharpens the extraordinary.
5. He Chose AC Milan Over FC Barcelona Due To Tactical Reasons
Now here’s a move that raised eyebrows in the best way. When Reijnders had AC Milan and Barcelona on the table in 2023, most would’ve sprinted to Camp Nou without blinking. But not Tijjani. Instead, he chose Milan.
According to him, it came down to tactics. He knew his role under Stefano Pioli would let him move more freely, particularly as a left-sided mezzala in a 4–3–3. At Barça? He feared being boxed into a more rigid system. Smart call? Looking at how things played out, absolutely.
6. He Scored On His AC Milan Debut
Dreams don’t always wait. On 11 November 2023, in a heated Serie A clash against Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare, Reijnders made his AC Milan debut.
And he marked it the way only a true baller would, with a goal. It wasn’t just any goal, it was a statement. A midfielder arriving at a massive club, immediately making the net ripple? That’s the sort of debut that makes fans sit up and go, “Wait, who is this guy again?”
7. He Was Named Serie A Best Midfielder For The 2024–25 Season
You don’t just walk into Serie A and own the midfield. But that’s exactly what Tijjani did. Across the 2024–25 season, he was everywhere, dictating tempo, breaking lines, and scoring goals (15 of them in 54 games, if we’re counting).
The result? A shiny title: Serie A’s Best Midfielder. In a league known for its tactical depth and tenacious midfielders, that’s no small feat. That award wasn’t a gift, it was a glowing endorsement of a player who turned potential into dominance.
8. He Represents the Netherlands Internationally
International allegiances can be tricky, especially for a player with heritage ties. But in June 2023, Tijjani Reijnders made it official: he would wear Oranje.
He debuted in a 3–0 win over Greece in a Euro 2024 qualifier and followed that up with his first international goal in March 2024 against Scotland at the Johan Cruyff Arena. As of now, he's got 22 caps and counting. Could Indonesia have used him? For sure. But Reijnders had a vision, orange all the way.
9. His Style of Play Brings Balance And Excitement to Midfield
Call him a conductor, an engine, or a Swiss Army knife, Reijnders has that rare midfield blend. He’s mobile, technically sharp, and reads the game like a chess master two moves ahead.
He thrives as a deep-lying playmaker and an advanced runner into the final third. Whether he's breaking the press or threading a pass into the box, it all looks calm. His time under Pioli showed how well he fits into fluid systems, and now with Pep Guardiola? Well, we'll have to buckle up.
10. He Has A Brother Eliano Reijnders, A Professional Footballer
Tijjani isn’t the only baller in the family. His younger brother, Eliano Reijnders, is also out there doing the family name proud. Eliano plays professionally for PEC Zwolle, the same club where Tijjani made his senior debut in 2018.
Football clearly runs in their blood. These brothers are writing their stories while representing the same roots. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll get a Reijnders reunion on the same pitch.
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