Matthijs de Ligt has reflected on the challenges of adapting to Juventus, crediting former captain Giorgio Chiellini with guiding him through a demanding culture shift. The Netherlands international, who currently represents Manchester United, spent three seasons in Turin following his high-profile move from Ajax in 2019.
Speaking to his current club’s media channels, the centre-back admitted the transition to one of Europe’s most successful dressing rooms proved testing initially. “It was difficult at the start because you walk into a dressing room where these players have won everything,” he explained. However, he stressed the importance of authenticity, adding: “It’s important to stay yourself and show yourself for who you are.”
Chiellini’s mentorship
De Ligt singled out Chiellini for particular praise during those formative months in Serie A. “Chiellini was really very helpful to me at the start,” he said. “When I arrived at Juventus he tried in every way to help me settle in and become the best player possible.”
The defender noted that he eventually recognised his celebrated team-mates as “normal people” united by common objectives. “At a certain point I understood that they were normal people and that we were there for the same goal,” he recalled.
Childhood idols become team-mates
De Ligt’s spell in Italy also brought him into close proximity with two players he had idolised during his youth. He described sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo as a “full-circle moment,” having watched the Portuguese forward during Manchester United’s 2008 Champions League triumph as a child.
“I think I was about 7 or 8 when Manchester United won the Champions League,” he said. “At that time he was, obviously, one of the most important players in the world.” He noted that Ronaldo’s distinctive style made him “probably one of my first idols.”
The defender also highlighted his admiration for Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder who shared his early positional history. “In the youth teams I also played in midfield and he played exactly in my position,” De Ligt explained. “So at that time he was really the example of one of the players I admired most.” He described the experience of eventually playing alongside both figures as “curious,” noting: “He was one of my biggest idols when I was younger.”
Lessons from Italy
Despite the early difficulties, De Ligt values his Italian experience as a period of significant development. When asked what he learned during his time in Serie A, he responded simply: “A lot, in every league I learned something.”
The defender now applies those lessons at Old Trafford, where he continues his career following his departure from Juventus.