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| Wijnaldum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Georginio Wijnaldum |
| Fullname | Georginio Gregion Emile Wijnaldum |
| Birth date | 11 November 1990 |
| Birth place | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.75 m |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Currentclub | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Youthyears1 | 1997–2004 |
| Youthclubs1 | Sparta Rotterdam |
| Youthyears2 | 2004–2007 |
| Youthclubs2 | Feyenoord |
| Years1 | 2007–2011 |
| Clubs1 | Feyenoord |
| Caps1 | 111 |
| Goals1 | 23 |
| Years2 | 2011–2015 |
| Clubs2 | PSV |
| Caps2 | 109 |
| Goals2 | 40 |
| Years3 | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs3 | Newcastle United |
| Caps3 | 38 |
| Goals3 | 11 |
| Years4 | 2016–2021 |
| Clubs4 | Liverpool |
| Caps4 | 179 |
| Goals4 | 28 |
| Years5 | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs5 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Years6 | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs6 | Roma |
| Caps6 | 24 |
| Nationalyears1 | 2011–2021 |
| Nationalteam1 | Netherlands |
| Nationalcaps1 | 86 |
| Nationalgoals1 | 27 |
Wijnaldum is a Dutch professional footballer who has played as a central, box-to-box, and attacking midfielder for clubs across the Netherlands, England, France, and Italy, and for the Netherlands national football team. Renowned for work rate, tactical intelligence, and timely goal-scoring, he achieved major honours in the Eredivisie, Premier League, and UEFA Champions League era competitions. His career spans youth development at Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord to senior roles at PSV Eindhoven, Newcastle United F.C., Liverpool F.C., Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and AS Roma.
Born in Rotterdam to parents of Surinamese descent, he grew up in the Spangen district near Kralingen. He joined Sparta Rotterdam's academy before moving to Feyenoord Academy where contemporaries included youth players who progressed into Eredivisie senior squads and national youth teams. Early coaches at Feyenoord identified his versatility across midfield and forward positions, which led to senior debut opportunities during campaigns against rivals like Ajax and AZ Alkmaar.
At Feyenoord, he established himself under managers such as Mario Been and featured in campaigns including KNVB Cup ties and Europa League qualifiers. A transfer to PSV Eindhoven saw him contribute to title-winning sides managed by Phillip Cocu and play alongside internationals like Memphis Depay and Balázs Dzsudzsák, competing in UEFA Champions League group stages. A move to Newcastle United F.C. in the Premier League brought him to St James' Park under Alan Pardew and later Rafa Benítez; he impressed with goal contributions in fixtures against Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., and Tottenham Hotspur.
A high-profile transfer to Liverpool F.C. reunited him with manager Jürgen Klopp, where he became integral to a squad featuring Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino. He played decisive roles in the club's 2018–19 UEFA Champions League campaign and the 2019–20 Premier League title run, notably scoring in key matches at Anfield and away at rival grounds like Old Trafford. In 2021 he joined Paris Saint-Germain F.C. to work under Mauricio Pochettino alongside players such as Kylian Mbappé and Neymar Jr., then moved to AS Roma under José Mourinho participating in Serie A and UEFA Europa Conference League fixtures.
He represented the Netherlands national under-21 football team before earning his senior debut for the Netherlands national football team in 2011. He featured in qualifying campaigns for UEFA Euro 2012 and FIFA World Cup 2014 selection processes, becoming a key figure during qualification for UEFA Euro 2020 and during the national side's run to the UEFA Nations League finals. He played alongside notable internationals including Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, and Virgil van Dijk, and scored important goals in qualifiers and friendlies against teams such as Germany, England, and Belgium.
Managers and analysts compared his attributes to box-to-box midfielders who combine positional awareness, late runs into the box, and pressing intensity—qualities praised by coaches like Jürgen Klopp and Rafa Benítez. Pundits from outlets covering Premier League and Eredivisie football highlighted his stamina, tactical intelligence, and clutch scoring in high-stakes matches, drawing parallels with midfielders such as Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in terms of goal timing. Critics debated his defensive positioning versus attacking output, while supporters pointed to decisive contributions in UEFA Champions League knockout ties and domestic title races.
He is of Surinamese heritage and has been involved in charitable initiatives connected to communities in Rotterdam and Suriname. Off the pitch, he has been linked socially to figures in Dutch popular culture and has appeared in interviews alongside personalities from NOS and Ziggo Sport. Reports have noted involvement in family-focused activities and occasional media appearances concerning player welfare and athlete transition programs run by organizations in the Royal Dutch Football Association.
League appearances and goals are summarized across senior clubs: Feyenoord (Eredivisie), PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie), Newcastle United F.C. (Premier League), Liverpool F.C. (Premier League), Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ligue 1), AS Roma (Serie A). Internationally, he earned over 80 caps for the Netherlands national football team with more than 20 goals, appearing in qualifying campaigns for UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup cycles.
With PSV Eindhoven he won the Eredivisie title; with Liverpool F.C. he won the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League among other domestic and international honours. Individually he received recognitions within Eredivisie seasonal awards and was named in squad-of-the-season selections for continental campaigns. He also featured in national team achievements during UEFA Nations League competitions.
Category:Dutch footballers Category:1990 births Category:People from Rotterdam