De Ligt’s ordeal, Gullit: “I really hope that all the pain he has been through can disappear”

Matthijs de Ligt has now been out for almost a year. The last match he played was Manchester United v Crystal Palace, 1-2, on 30 November 2025. Then came the ordeal, because of a back problem which, after six months of treatment, forced him to undergo surgery in April. The Dutchman, born in 1999, also missed the World Cup.

Ruud Gullit, one of Dutch football's greats, has spoken about the former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender: "He is a fantastic lad, on the pitch he has always given everything and I hope he can put this complicated period behind him. Injuries have affected his career up to now and I am very sorry about that, the hope is that he can have his revenge. I truly hope that all the pain he has experienced can disappear , so that he can manage to change things and still have a positive career."