Ryan Babel

Ryan Babel

Personal information
Full name	Ryan Guno Babel[1]
Date of birth	19 December 1986 (1986-12-19) (age 24)
Place of birth	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing position	Winger, Striker
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	19
Youth career
1998–2004	AFC Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2007	Ajax	73	(14)
2007–	Liverpool	82	(11)
Total		155	(25)
National team‡
2002–2003	Netherlands U17	6	(3)
2003–2004	Netherlands U19	6	(2)
2004–2005	Netherlands U20	4	(2)
2005–2007	Netherlands U21	5	(2)
2008	Netherlands U23	5	(2)
2005–	Netherlands	39	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:39, 14 May 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 June 2010

Ryan Guno Babel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɑjɐn ˈbaːbəl]; born 19 December 1986)^[2] is a footballer who currently plays for Liverpool, he is right footed and plays as a left winger, but can also play as a striker. Babel began his career at AFC Ajax in 1998, working his way up through the youth team and into the senior squad. He played three seasons for the first team before he was transferred to Liverpool in mid-2007. He has been part of the Dutch national football team since 2005 and has represented his country at all youth team levels. In 2010 he had his first child, a boy, named Riley.

Early career

Ryan Babel, born 19 December 1986, grew up in Bijlmermeer, Amsterdam and was interested in football from an early age. Inspired by the local footballing talent, including Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, Babel played for nearby youth-teams S.V Diemen, then Fortius.^[3] In 1997, he attended a youth selection day with AFC Ajax. He made it through the first selection round, but failed to progress any further.^[4] However, the next year Ajax accepted him and he played the 1998–99 season for their D1 team.^[4] After having graduated through the C1, B1 and A1 teams, Babel signed his first professional contract in January 2004.^[4]

Club career

Ajax

Babel at a post-game press event for Ajax

Playing as a forward, on 1 February 2004, just one and a half months after his 17th birthday, Ajax coach Ronald Koeman gave Babel his first team debut in Ajax's 4–0 home win over ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie.^[5] Ajax went on to win the Dutch league title, but Babel didn't feature again that season. Nine months later, on 20 November 2004 Babel scored his first senior goal against De Graafschap in a 5–0 victory.^[6]

In July 2005, Babel signed a new contract with Ajax. He started the new season by scoring the winning goal in Ajax's 2–1 defeat of PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup. Babel scored in both legs of the Champions League third qualifying round against Brøndby as Ajax made it to the group stage. 2005–06 was a tougher season for Babel in general though as he managed only two league goals. He did however continue to feature for the national team, and scored his second goal against Italy in November. At the end of the season, Babel came on as a second-half substitute in Ajax's 2–1 victory over PSV in the Dutch Cup final.

Babel marked the start of 2006–07 with another Dutch Super Cup winners medal, as Ajax defeated PSV 3–1. Babel was linked with Arsenal and Newcastle United during the January transfer window of the 2006–07 season but no move materialised.^[7][8] Amidst the transfer speculation, Babel agreed to a new three-year deal with Ajax on 2 February 2007.^[5][9] In May, Babel got another Dutch Cup winners medal as Ajax successfully defended the title. The match against AZ went to a penalty shoot-out, but Babel was substituted off after 120 minutes.^[10]

Liverpool

Ryan Babel

On 10 July 2007 it was reported that Liverpool had made a £14 million offer to the Amsterdam club.^[11] On 12 July it was reported that Liverpool and Ajax had agreed a fee in the region of £11.5 million, and later Liverpool confirmed that Babel would sign a five year contract on 13 July.^[12] He was unveiled on 13 July with Yossi Benayoun. Babel was handed the number 19 shirt. He made his debut on 17 July against Werder Bremen in a friendly. He was due to play in the first round of the Barclays Asia Trophy 2007 but for a delay in the granting of international clearance. This was sorted out in time for the final against Portsmouth.^[13]

He made his Premier League debut in the 2007–08 Premier League curtain raiser against Aston Villa away after coming on off the bench. A week later and he made his Anfield debut, coming off the bench against Chelsea. On 1 September Babel scored his first goal for Liverpool against Derby County.^[14] Babel scored his first Champions League goal for Liverpool on 6 November against Beşiktaş J.K. after coming on as a substitute. He netted twice in the game and almost completed a hat-trick, with a header from a Harry Kewell cross, but was denied by the crossbar.^[15] Babel scored the fourth and last goal in Liverpool's 2007–08 UEFA Champions League group stage match against Olympique de Marseille, which they needed to win.^[16] He came off the bench in the second leg of the quarter final against Arsenal in the Champions League to win a penalty and score a goal, with Liverpool winning the game 4–2 (5–3 on aggregate).^[17] He also came on as a substitute against Chelsea in the semi-final and despite scoring a goal, Liverpool lost 3–2 in extra time.^[18]

Liverpool and Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has said that Babel has the ability to terrorise defenders in the Premier League with his pace and trickery with the ball.^[19] On 13 September 2008, Babel came off the bench to score the winner for Liverpool in a 2–1 victory over Manchester United, his first goal of the 2008–09 season ^[20] Babel scored his second goal of the season in Liverpool's 5–1 victory over Newcastle United on 28 December 2008.^[21]

On the 20 September 2009 against West Ham, Babel came off the bench for Dirk Kuyt. At this stage the score was 2–2. Babel picked up the ball and did well to beat the full-back and sent in a delightful cross for Fernando Torres to head home the winner. Babel, who has been criticized in the past for his work rate and attitude, earned praise for his efforts in the West Ham game.^[22] Many Liverpool fans hope this signals the return of the form he showed in his first season that saw him quickly become a fan favourite.

On 27 September 2009, Babel scored two goals against Hull City coming off the bench for Fernando Torres to round up a match which ended 6–1 for Liverpool.^[23] On 4 November 2009, Babel scored the opening goal against Lyon in a Champions League game, a strike from 25 yards in a 1–1 draw. Former Liverpool player Alan Hansen called upon Babel to play like he did against Lyon, as he still possesses the ability to be a 'top player'.^[24]

On 6 January 2010, it was reported that Liverpool rejected an £8 million offer from Birmingham City for Babel.^[25] Babel was then disciplined by manager Benitez, over stating on his twitter page that he had been dropped for the game against Stoke City, and was fined two weeks wages of £60,000. He has constantly been linked with a move away from Anfield but Rafael Benitez has stated his desire that he wants Babel to stay. On 15 March 2010 he scored against Portsmouth in a 4–1 win. On 1 April 2010, he was sent off for the first time in his Liverpool career in the 30th minute of the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against S.L. Benfica after an altercation with Luisão. He scored in Liverpool's 4–0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor, subsequently relegating Burnley to the Championship. On 19 August 2010, Babel scored the winner against Trabzonspor in the Europa League qualifier first leg, it was his first game of the 2010-11 season.^[26]

International career

Babel playing for the Netherlands

Babel took part in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Babel scored two goals in four games as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals. There they were defeated by Nigeria, 10–9 in a penalty shoot-out (Babel scored his penalty).^[27]

Later that season, Babel made his international debut on 26 March 2005, away against Romania. He entered the game as a first-half substitute for Arjen Robben and went on to score the second goal in a 2–0 victory.^[6] The goal made Babel the youngest goalscorer in 68 years for the Netherlands^[6] and the fourth-youngest of all time.^[28] Babel had been a first team regular with Ajax in 2004–05 and finished with seven league goals in 22 appearances.

In 2006, Marco van Basten included Babel in the Dutch squad for 2006 FIFA World Cup. Due to a knee injury however,^[29] Babel only featured once, as a second-half substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy in the group match against Argentina.^[30] Van Basten has been quoted as saying Babel "has all the potential to become the next Thierry Henry".^[28]

In June 2007, Babel was part of the Netherlands under-21 team competing in the UEFA Under-21 Championship, being held in the Netherlands. In the group stage, Babel scored a penalty against Portugal, helping the Dutch to secure a semi-final spot and thus qualifying for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. His second tournament goal came during his man of the match performance in the final as the Netherlands defeated Serbia 4–1 to retain their title.^[31]

In May 2008, Babel was selected for the Dutch squad which will compete in the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. On 31 May, it was announced that Babel had been withdrawn from the squad after tearing ankle ligaments in training. Van Basten added then-Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz to his squad in place of Babel.^[32].

2010 World Cup

Babel was included in the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.^[33] On 27 May 2010, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk announced that the player would be part of the final squad of 23 participating in the competition.^[34] Babel didn't play in South Africa.

Career statistics

All-Time Club Performance

Club	Season	Eredivisie		KNVB Cup		Super Cup		Europe		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Ajax (Eredivisie)	2003–04	1	0	0	0	-	-	0	0	1	0
	2004–05	20	7	2	0	-	-	4	1	26	8
	2005–06	25	2	1	0	1	1	9	2	36	5
	2006–07	27	5	3	0	1	0	7	2	38	7
	Club Total	73	14	6	0	2	1	20	5	101	20
		Premier League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
Liverpool (Premier League)	2007–08	30	4	4	1	2	0	13	5	49	10
	2008–09	27	3	3	0	2	0	10	1	42	4
	2009–10	25	4	1	0	2	0	10	2	38	6
	2010–11	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	2	1
	Club Total	82	11	8	1	6	0	34	9	130	21
Career totals		155	25	14	1	8	1	51	14	231	38
Last updated 25 February 2010[35][36]

International goals

#	Date	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	26 March 2005	Romania	2–0	Won	WC 2006 Qual.
2	12 November 2005	Italy	1–3	Loss	Friendly
3	1 June 2006	Mexico	2–1	Won	Friendly
4	7 February 2007	Russia	4–1	Won	Friendly
5	24 May 2008	Ukraine	3–0	Won	Friendly
Last updated 24 May 2008[35]

Career honours

Ajax

• Dutch Cup: 2005–2006, 2006–2007
  • Dutch Super Cup: 2005, 2006

Netherlands

• Winner
  • 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

Individual

• • 2007–2008 Liverpool FC Young Player of the Season

Musical career

Ryan Babel also raps under the name Rio. He cooperated with Dutch rappers such as Lange Frans, Baas B, Darryl, Ali B and U-Niq. He has also recorded a rap song with the Dutch Real Madrid star Royston Drenthe.^[37] Ryan Babel is going to be on Sway DaSafo's new album as a featured artist.

He also was a judge on Juice FM's Next Big Urban Star competition – organised by Liverpool radio station 107.6 Juice FM in September/October 2009. Ryan picked 17 year old Chelcee Grimes from Liverpool as the winner. She will now win a six month mentorship with Ryan Babel including studio time and career development from Ryan.

References

External links

• Ryan Babel - FIFA competition record
• Ryan Babel career stats at Soccerbase
• Ryan Babel profile and stats at Wereld van Oranje (Dutch)
• Ryan Babel's Official website
• Stats and Analytics of Ryan Babel at Footbalistic
• Liverpoolfc.tv Profile
• LFCHistory.net Profile
• ESPN Profile

Netherlands squads Netherlands squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup 1 van der Sar (c) • 2 Jaliens • 3 Boulahrouz • 4 Mathijsen • 5 van Bronckhorst • 6 Landzaat • 7 Kuyt • 8 Cocu • 9 van Nistelrooy • 10 van der Vaart • 11 Robben • 12 Kromkamp • 13 Ooijer • 14 Heitinga • 15 de Cler • 16 Maduro • 17 van Persie • 18 van Bommel • 19 Vennegoor of Hesselink • 20 Sneijder • 21 Babel • 22 Timmer • 23 Stekelenburg • Coach: van Basten Netherlands squad – 2008 Summer Olympics 1 Velthuizen • 2 Zuiverloon • 3 Marcellis • 4 Jaliens • 5 Pieters • 6 Luyckx • 7 De Guzmán • 8 Emanuelson • 9 Makaay • 10 Sibon • 11 Babel • 12 Maduro • 13 Jong-a-Pin • 14 Sno • 15 Drenthe • 16 Beerens • 17 Bakkal • 18 Vermeer • Coach: de Haan Netherlands squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup Runners-up 1 Stekelenburg • 2 van der Wiel • 3 Heitinga • 4 Mathijsen • 5 van Bronckhorst (c) • 6 van Bommel • 7 Kuyt • 8 de Jong • 9 van Persie • 10 Sneijder • 11 Robben • 12 Boulahrouz • 13 Ooijer • 14 de Zeeuw • 15 Braafheid • 16 Vorm • 17 Elia • 18 Schaars • 19 Babel • 20 Afellay • 21 Huntelaar • 22 Boschker • 23 van der Vaart • Coach: van Marwijk