Biography
Ryan Babel was born on 19 December 1986 into a sport-loving family.The oldest of three children, Ryan grew up in the tough De Bijlmer estate in south Amsterdam, close to the Amsterdam Arena, home to Ajax.
De Bijlmer is also home to many of the city’s immigrants from Suriname. These same grim surroundings have produced a number of world-class footballers like Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids.
The young Ryan started playing football early in a bid to emulate the famous former residents of De Bijlmer. His first club was S.V Diemen but on his father’s advice Babel moved to Fortius two years later in order to progess his hopes of success.
Joined the Football Academy
In 1997, aged 10 he attended trials at his favourite club Ajax, but although he came through the first stage Ajax declined the chance to take him on. However, Ryan continued to progress and after being scouted by the Dutch FA he was offered another trial at Ajax in 1998 and this time he was signed up to join their world-famous Football Academy.
Already developing a reputation as a pacy forward, he made a big impression for both Ajax and in the Dutch national youths teams and on 22 February 2004, aged 17 he made his full debut for Ajax against ADO Den Haag. That was his only appearance in the season, but by the 2004/05 campaign he was already carving a real name for himself with the Ajax faithful. He played 20 matches and scored an impressive seven goals in the Eredivisie.
First appearance for Holland
These exploits were earned him a first appearance for Holland on 26 March 2005 against Romania in an important World Cup Qualification match. Babel came on as a substitute and enjoyed a dream debut as he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win to become, at 18 years, 3 months and 7 days, the fourth youngest goalscorer ever for Holland and the youngest for 68 years.
His second full season at Ajax saw him make 25 appearances and notch another two goals. He was rewarded with a place in the Dutch squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but due to an injury he only featured once in the finals.
Offer from Liverpool
Ryan was by now becoming a hot property and both Arsenal and Newcastle United were rumoured to be interested in his services, but instead he pledged his future to Ajax. However, at the end the season, in which he scored five goals in 27 league matches, the Amsterdam club received an offer of £11.5 million from Liverpool, which they considered too good to turn down.
In July 2007, Ryan signed a five-year contract with the English club. The summer of 2007 proved even better for him as he played a prominent part in the Dutch Under 21 team that won the European Championships.
Champions League goals
In his first season in the Premiership the Dutchman scored four times in 30 matches, but his most noticeable impact came in the Champions League where he scored in Liverpool’s quarter final against Arsenal and again in the defeat against Chelsea in the semi final.
Ryan Babel has already settled nicely into the English top flight, and has regularly proved a handful for opposition defenders, with his pace and crossing skills.
His one disappointment in 2008 was his omission through an ankle injury from the Dutch squad for Euro 2008.
De Bijlmer is also home to many of the city’s immigrants from Suriname. These same grim surroundings have produced a number of world-class footballers like Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids.
The young Ryan started playing football early in a bid to emulate the famous former residents of De Bijlmer. His first club was S.V Diemen but on his father’s advice Babel moved to Fortius two years later in order to progess his hopes of success.
Joined the Football Academy
In 1997, aged 10 he attended trials at his favourite club Ajax, but although he came through the first stage Ajax declined the chance to take him on. However, Ryan continued to progress and after being scouted by the Dutch FA he was offered another trial at Ajax in 1998 and this time he was signed up to join their world-famous Football Academy.
Already developing a reputation as a pacy forward, he made a big impression for both Ajax and in the Dutch national youths teams and on 22 February 2004, aged 17 he made his full debut for Ajax against ADO Den Haag. That was his only appearance in the season, but by the 2004/05 campaign he was already carving a real name for himself with the Ajax faithful. He played 20 matches and scored an impressive seven goals in the Eredivisie.
First appearance for Holland
These exploits were earned him a first appearance for Holland on 26 March 2005 against Romania in an important World Cup Qualification match. Babel came on as a substitute and enjoyed a dream debut as he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win to become, at 18 years, 3 months and 7 days, the fourth youngest goalscorer ever for Holland and the youngest for 68 years.
His second full season at Ajax saw him make 25 appearances and notch another two goals. He was rewarded with a place in the Dutch squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but due to an injury he only featured once in the finals.
Offer from Liverpool
Ryan was by now becoming a hot property and both Arsenal and Newcastle United were rumoured to be interested in his services, but instead he pledged his future to Ajax. However, at the end the season, in which he scored five goals in 27 league matches, the Amsterdam club received an offer of £11.5 million from Liverpool, which they considered too good to turn down.
In July 2007, Ryan signed a five-year contract with the English club. The summer of 2007 proved even better for him as he played a prominent part in the Dutch Under 21 team that won the European Championships.
Champions League goals
In his first season in the Premiership the Dutchman scored four times in 30 matches, but his most noticeable impact came in the Champions League where he scored in Liverpool’s quarter final against Arsenal and again in the defeat against Chelsea in the semi final.
Ryan Babel has already settled nicely into the English top flight, and has regularly proved a handful for opposition defenders, with his pace and crossing skills.
His one disappointment in 2008 was his omission through an ankle injury from the Dutch squad for Euro 2008.
