Georginio Wijnaldum is turning 35 today, and it’s a perfect time to look back at his remarkable career. Born in Rotterdam, his career has been a mix of grit and finesse. A SoftFootball piece about Memphis Depay overtaking Van Persie as the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer reminds us how the Dutch scene keeps producing headlines and how Wijnaldum has been part of that story.
He now plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, joining in 2023 with Jordan Henderson, who now plays for Brentford, and he still brings calm to midfield. Despite a few injuries, he finds moments to shine. SoftFootball also reported Depay breaking the Netherlands assist record in a win over Finland, which shows the same era of players Wijnaldum helped inspire.
Liverpool fans will forever talk about his role from 2016 to 2021, when he played 237 matches and scored 22 goals. The Champions League win in 2019 and the Premier League crown in 2020 are big, but for many it’s that Anfield evening when Liverpool overturned Barcelona 4-0 that sums him up: timing, instinct, and heart. Liverpool, via their official X account, shared a post wishing him a happy birthday.
Before Liverpool, he lifted the Eredivisie with PSV in 2015 and was an influential figure at Newcastle, earning their Player of the Year nod in 2016. Internationally, he earned 97 caps for the Netherlands since debuting in 2011, wearing the armband at major tournaments and helping younger players grow. The Netherlands, via their official X account, shared a celebratory post for Georginio Wijnaldum’s birthday featuring a video of his goal against Poland in 2019.
Watch the video below:
He’s stepped back from regular international duty, letting fresh faces take over, yet his presence is still felt. At 35 he still reads the game brilliantly, sometimes like he is 25, and yes, he makes mistakes too, but fans forgive that. On his birthday it feels right to celebrate the small things like the runs, the quiet assists, and the leadership in the dressing room. Happy birthday, Gini.
