Ryan Gravenberch won the prized Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year award in the Eredivisie 2020–2021 at the Cruyff Court Betondorp, the neighborhood field where Johan played football constantly as a youngster, near his parents’ house.
Since 2003, the Talent of the Year has received the Johan Cruijff Award. Cruijff feels that this award would encourage young football players to aim higher and help them have a positive social influence.
The winner will get the opportunity to build a Cruyff Court at a location of their choosing thanks to funding from the Johan Cruyff Foundation. This enables vulnerable youth to participate in accessible sports and enhance their physical, mental, and social growth.
In Zuidoost, NH, Ryan Gravenberch opened Cruyff Court.
A panel of 14 distinguished specialists nearly unanimously selected the promising 19-year-old Ajax midfielder. The Premier League players were evaluated based on their football skills as well as Johan Cruijff’s 14 principles, which include responsibility and teamwork.
The jury observed that Ryan’s youthfulness allowed him to play a significant role at Ajax. He was also commended for his rapid and insane growth.
John Heitinga himself presented the award to Ryan. Ryan: “I spent my entire childhood playing in the Cruyff Court. It aided in my growth, and it’s quite unique that I can now wear one myself. And to the young lads, this trophy serves as motivation. Try your hardest so that you can one day stand here holding this award.
After careful consideration, Ryan and the Cruyff Foundation will decide on the precise site of the Ryan Gravenberch Cruyff Court in the near future. The National Postcode Lottery provides some of the funding for the Cruyff Court.
Ryan Gravenberch is the 18th Johan Cruijff Award winner, following Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Salomon Kalou, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Ibrahim Afellay, Miralem Sulejmani, Eljero Elia, Gregory van der Wiel, Christian Eriksen, Adam Maher, Marco van Ginkel, Davy Klaasen, Memphis Depay, Vincent Janssen, Kasper Dolberg, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and Christian Eriksen.
