Reijnders’ father comments on his son’s meteoric rise: “Straight to the top of the world” | OneFootball

Although he only signed for AC Milan last summer, Tijjani Reijnders quickly became a mainstay in the team and often looked like a player who had been playing Serie A football for years, rather than months, and his father has commented on his rise ahead of the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 round of 16 fixture.

It is difficult to speak about Reijnders without getting too carried away at times, but for a player who made his Serie A debut last season, played in multiple roles, and always delivered when required, it makes it difficult not to get carried away.

Deployed as a 6, 8 and a 10 under Stefano Pioli, it rarely seemed like the Dutchman had a permanent home, but Paulo Fonseca’s early plans seem to have the midfielder as one of the team’s main pillars, and he is expected to play in a more advanced role for the Portuguese coach.

Ahead of the Netherlands’ Round of 16 tie against Romania on Tuesday, Reijnders’ father, Martin, spoke to the Dutch paper ‘AD’ about his son’s rise, and his ability at a young age – his comments have been relayed by Milan News.

“The boys [Tijjani Reijnders and his brother] had something special. They were able to read the game at a young age. Then they had an immense advantage over their colleagues. Tijjani went straight to the top of the world. I once told him: ‘If I had been the coach I would have thrown you out of football, you do nothing!’

“Above all, he accepted constructive criticism. Even if it drove us crazy at times. I told him that if he signed a contract he could leave school. He had two years to prove himself, otherwise, he would go back to school. My wife didn’t agree. But if you can become a footballer, that piece of paper is worthless. You can become extremely financially independent.”