Georginio Wijnaldum
Encyclopedia
Georginio Gregion Emile Wijnaldum (born 11 November 1990 in Rotterdam
) is a Dutch
international
footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie
club PSV.
A youth product of Feyenoord, he is the youngest player ever to represent the team professionally and played 130 matches for them in a five-year period.
Wijnaldum's favorite position is the central playmaker role, where he often played in his youth career.
, South Holland
, The Netherlands. At the age of six his parents divorced and his mother moved to Amsterdam
. Wijnaldum decided to stay in Rotterdam and moved in with his grandmother, where he lived the remaining part of his childhood.
In Wijnaldum's youngest years he never showed interest in football. He never played with a ball or watched football on TV. His ambition was to become a gymnast or acrobat. This changed when Wijnaldum's nephew asked him to come to Sparta Rotterdam
's opening day with him. Wijnaldum got invited to the Sparta Rotterdam youth academy and his love for football started to grow slowly.
Wijnaldum has two younger brothers, Giliano and Rogerio. Giliano Wijnaldum is currently playing for AZ.
At Feyenoord, Wijnaldum joined a successful generation with the likes of Leroy Fer
and Luís Pedro
. Wijnaldum stood out as an exceptional talent. In January 2007, a few weeks after turning 16, Wijnaldum was invited to the first team's training camp in Belek
, Turkey
, by Feyenoord manager Erwin Koeman
.
home match against FC Groningen (0–4). At the age of 16 and 148 days, Wijnaldum became the youngest player ever to play in Feyenoord's first team and was chosen Feyenoord's man of the match. On December 2, 2007, Wijnaldum scored his first Eredivisie goal for Feyenoord against Heracles Almelo
in a 6–0 home win.
In the season 2008–09
Wijnaldum made his official European debut. On September 18, 2008, Wijnaldum was named in the starting line-up in the UEFA Cup
home match against Kalmar FF
(0–1). On October 2, 2008, Wijnaldum scored his first European goal for Feyenoord in the return match against Kalmar FF, which resulted in a 1–2 win and a place in the group stage.
On March 6, 2009, Wijnaldum signed a new contract at Feyenoord which keeps him in de Kuip until summer 2012. On February 27, 2011 Wijnaldum helped his struggling Feyenoord to a 5-1 demolition of FC Groningen, scoring four goals. He scored two goals from open play in the first half and two more from the penalty spot to add his total for the season to 8 goals.
in Belgium
. The team finished third in their group behind England and Belgium, failing to qualify for the knock-out stage. Quickly after the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
, Wijnaldum got selected for the Netherlands U19. Despite excellent individual performances, the team underachieved and failed to qualify for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
in Czech Republic
and 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
in Ukraine
.
On November 12, 2008, the young midfielder got invited to the Netherlands B by manager Johan Neeskens
. Wijnaldum had to deny the invitation due to an injury.
by manager Cor Pot
. Wijnaldum made his official Netherlands U21 debut on September 4, 2009, in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
qualification match against Finland U21
(2–0).
|2006–07||rowspan="5"|Feyenoord||rowspan="5"|Eredivisie
||3||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
|-
|2007–08
||10||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||12||1
|-
|2008–09
||33||4||3||0||6||1||42||5
|-
|2009–10||31||4||7||1||colspan="2"|–||38||5
|-
|2010–11||34||14||1||0||2||0||36||14
|-
|2011-12||rowspan="1"|PSV||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
||11||2||2||1||6||3||19||7
|-
111||23||13||1||8||1||132||25
111||23||13||1||8||1||132||25
|}Statistics accurate as of last match played on October 3, 2009.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
international
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
club PSV.
A youth product of Feyenoord, he is the youngest player ever to represent the team professionally and played 130 matches for them in a five-year period.
Wijnaldum's favorite position is the central playmaker role, where he often played in his youth career.
Early life
Georginio Wijnaldum is born and raised in RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, South Holland
South Holland
South Holland is a province situated on the North Sea in the western part of the Netherlands. The provincial capital is The Hague and its largest city is Rotterdam.South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world...
, The Netherlands. At the age of six his parents divorced and his mother moved to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. Wijnaldum decided to stay in Rotterdam and moved in with his grandmother, where he lived the remaining part of his childhood.
In Wijnaldum's youngest years he never showed interest in football. He never played with a ball or watched football on TV. His ambition was to become a gymnast or acrobat. This changed when Wijnaldum's nephew asked him to come to Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
's opening day with him. Wijnaldum got invited to the Sparta Rotterdam youth academy and his love for football started to grow slowly.
Wijnaldum has two younger brothers, Giliano and Rogerio. Giliano Wijnaldum is currently playing for AZ.
Youth career
At the age of six, Wijnaldum developed himself rapidly at Sparta Rotterdam, winning two championship titles in his first two seasons. Soon Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord showed interest in the youngster, but Wijnaldum declined all offers: "I didn't watch football on TV and I didn't know any of the first team players of Sparta or any of the top clubs. I only knew the real famous players of Oranje, so the offers didn't impress me much. I had a good time at Sparta, I wanted to stay." After playing for Sparta Rotterdam for seven seasons and representing the Netherlands at various youth levels, Wijnaldum decided to accept a new Feyenoord offer. He was convinced playing for Feyenoord was better for his development as a football player and believed in Feyenoord's vision.At Feyenoord, Wijnaldum joined a successful generation with the likes of Leroy Fer
Leroy Fer
Leroy Johan Fer is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club FC Twente and the Netherlands U21....
and Luís Pedro
Luís Pedro
Luís Pedro is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Heracles Almelo.-Club career:Born in Luanda, Angola, Pedro began his career with MVV and moved to Feyenoord in 2006. He was the top goalscorer for the reserve team in the 2007/2008 season...
. Wijnaldum stood out as an exceptional talent. In January 2007, a few weeks after turning 16, Wijnaldum was invited to the first team's training camp in Belek
Belek
Belek is a township with own municipality in Serik district in Turkey's Antalya Province. The local population varies between 750 and 10,000 in low and high season, respectively....
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, by Feyenoord manager Erwin Koeman
Erwin Koeman
Erwin Koeman is a former football player and Dutch football manager. Currently he is the manager of FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is the son of Dutch international footballer Martin Koeman, and, alongside his younger brother Ronald, has also represented the Netherlands...
.
Feyenoord (2007–2011)
On April 8, 2007, Wijnaldum made his official debut in Feyenoord's starting line-up in the EredivisieEredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
home match against FC Groningen (0–4). At the age of 16 and 148 days, Wijnaldum became the youngest player ever to play in Feyenoord's first team and was chosen Feyenoord's man of the match. On December 2, 2007, Wijnaldum scored his first Eredivisie goal for Feyenoord against Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo is a football club from Almelo, Netherlands.Heracles Almelo were founded on May 3, 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on July 1, 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998. The club has won the Dutch national title...
in a 6–0 home win.
In the season 2008–09
Eredivisie 2008-09
The Eredivisie 2008–09 is the fifty-third season of Eredivisie since its establishment in 1955. PSV were the reigning champions. The season began on 29 August 2008 with a game between Vitesse and FC Groningen and ended on 10 May 2009. A total of 18 teams take part in the league, consisting of 16...
Wijnaldum made his official European debut. On September 18, 2008, Wijnaldum was named in the starting line-up in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
home match against Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF is a Swedish football club located in Kalmar. Formed 10 January 1910, the club has won three national cup titles and 1 league title. Kalmar FF currently play in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan....
(0–1). On October 2, 2008, Wijnaldum scored his first European goal for Feyenoord in the return match against Kalmar FF, which resulted in a 1–2 win and a place in the group stage.
On March 6, 2009, Wijnaldum signed a new contract at Feyenoord which keeps him in de Kuip until summer 2012. On February 27, 2011 Wijnaldum helped his struggling Feyenoord to a 5-1 demolition of FC Groningen, scoring four goals. He scored two goals from open play in the first half and two more from the penalty spot to add his total for the season to 8 goals.
PSV Eindhoven (2011-)
On June 29, 2011 the technical director of Feyenoord announced that they had reached a transfer deal for Wijnaldum reported to be worth five million euro with PSV Eindhoven.Netherlands U17 & U19
Wijnaldum was one of the key players of the Netherlands U17 on the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship 2007 Final Tournament was held in Belgium from May 2, 2007, to May 13, 2007. Top 5 teams will qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The team finished third in their group behind England and Belgium, failing to qualify for the knock-out stage. Quickly after the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship 2007 Final Tournament was held in Belgium from May 2, 2007, to May 13, 2007. Top 5 teams will qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007...
, Wijnaldum got selected for the Netherlands U19. Despite excellent individual performances, the team underachieved and failed to qualify for the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...
in Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:---------Final:-Top goalscorers:4 goals Nathan Delfouneso3 goals Henri Lansbury Danijel Aleksić Denys Harmash-External links:*...
in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
.
On November 12, 2008, the young midfielder got invited to the Netherlands B by manager Johan Neeskens
Johan Neeskens
Johannes Jacobus "Johan" Neeskens is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder. As a player, he was an important member of the Dutch national team that finished as runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. Former England manager Alf Ramsey said Neeskens was "as good as any player" in...
. Wijnaldum had to deny the invitation due to an injury.
Netherlands U21
Wijnaldum had to deny his first Netherlands U21 invitation on August 9, 2009. Wijnaldum received an invitation for the friendly match against England U21England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
by manager Cor Pot
Cor Pot
Cornelis Pot is a Dutch football manager and former footballer.- Playing career :He started his career with the academy of Sparta in Rotterdam, and subsequently moved to the Ajax academy.Clubs*1969 - 1972 Sparta...
. Wijnaldum made his official Netherlands U21 debut on September 4, 2009, in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
qualification match against Finland U21
Finland national under-21 football team
The Finnish national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Finland. The team qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship final tournament in 2009.-UEFA U-21 Championship Record:...
(2–0).
Netherlands national football team
On May 30, 2011 it was announced that Wijnaldum would be part of the Dutch squad playing two friendlies in South-America versus Brazil and Uruguay. He made no appearances in either match. He made his debut in the match against San Marino on September 2, 2011. He entered the field as a substitute in the 86th minute and promptly scored his first international goal in the 90th minute.International goals
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 September 2011 | Philips Stadion Philips Stadion Philips Stadion is the 35,000 seater stadium of football club, PSV Eindhoven. It was first inaugurated on 31 August 1913. The stadium is located in the Philipsdorp part of the Eindhoven borough of Strijp, close to Eindhoven's city centre.... , Eindhoven |
11-0 | 11-0 | Euro 2012 qualifying UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group E This page shows the standings and results for Group E of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament.-Standings:*Note: Sweden qualified directly for the finals as the best runners-up.- Results and fixtures :... |
Statistics
|-|2006–07||rowspan="5"|Feyenoord||rowspan="5"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||3||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
|-
|2007–08
Eredivisie 2007-08
The 2007–08 Eredivisie was the 52nd season of the Eredivisie, the top division of association football in the Netherlands. The season began in August 2007 and ended on 18 May 2008, with defending champions PSV retaining their title with 72 points....
||10||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||12||1
|-
|2008–09
Eredivisie 2008-09
The Eredivisie 2008–09 is the fifty-third season of Eredivisie since its establishment in 1955. PSV were the reigning champions. The season began on 29 August 2008 with a game between Vitesse and FC Groningen and ended on 10 May 2009. A total of 18 teams take part in the league, consisting of 16...
||33||4||3||0||6||1||42||5
|-
|2009–10||31||4||7||1||colspan="2"|–||38||5
|-
|2010–11||34||14||1||0||2||0||36||14
|-
|2011-12||rowspan="1"|PSV||rowspan="1"|Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
||11||2||2||1||6||3||19||7
|-
111||23||13||1||8||1||132||25
111||23||13||1||8||1||132||25
|}Statistics accurate as of last match played on October 3, 2009.
Name
- Georginio Wijnaldum used to be known as Georginio Boateng: "My mother was married with a man whose last name was Boateng, but that name meant nothing for me. He isn't even family!" The name Wijnaldum is his mother's last name.