IN CONVERSATION WITH RYAN JURO GRAVENBERCH

interview by JANA LETONJA

Football player Ryan Jiro Gravenberch has been shortlisted for the Premier League’s Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year accolades for his part in Liverpool’s second title win in five seasons. By the age of just 23, he can boast a trophy in every one of his 6 seasons of his professional career. On national level, Ryan made his Netherlands debut in 2021, and was also part of the Dutch UEFA Euro 2024 squad.

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By the age of 23, you’ve won a trophy every single season of your professional career. How do you stay grounded and focused with so much early success?

I’m a calm and reserved person, never one to seek the spotlight. I aim to savour my football journey. By 23, I’ve been lucky to call Amsterdam, Munich, and Liverpool home, playing for three of the world's top clubs. I prefer to take things as they come, celebrating achievements while recognising that there is much more ahead.

My family is essential to my support system, helping me stay grounded. I’ve had a strong start and accomplished a lot, but there are still many opportunities out there, and I am committed to continually improving and winning more trophies.

From Ajax to Bayern and now Liverpool, each club has a rich history and different footballing philosophy. How have these environments shaped you as a player and person?

I’ve been lucky to play for three historic clubs – Ajax, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool – and honestly, each one is the biggest in its country. It’s been a real privilege. These are clubs and cities where football runs deep. The fans live for it. They expect everything from you, and when you put on that shirt, you feel the weight of that. It’s something I never take for granted.

To be honest, I think they’re more alike than people realise. Big clubs demand a certain mentality, that winning mindset. There’s a culture around them, built over the years, that’s all about success. On the pitch, off the pitch – it’s just who they are.

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You’ve been shortlisted for both the Premier League Player and Young Player of the Year awards. What does that recognition mean to you personally?

It meant a lot to be nominated for both awards, and to actually win the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year was really special for me. On a personal level, it felt like recognition for a season where I took on a new role in the team, one I really enjoyed and felt I could make an impact from.

But more importantly, it came in a season where we achieved something incredible as a team, winning the Premier League title with Liverpool. To be part of that, and then to pick up the Young Player award as well, it makes me really proud. At the same time, it just makes me want to keep pushing, keep improving, and keep striving for more success in the years ahead.

Liverpool’s second Premier League title in five years was a huge moment. What was it like being such a key part of that campaign?

It was honestly something really special, a season I’ll never forget. The scenes on the bus as we approached Anfield before the Spurs game, that afternoon we won the league, will stay with me forever. The passion on the fans’ faces, the red flares, the noise, the songs, just seeing what it meant to them, it gave me goosebumps. That image will never leave me.

And then once we got inside the stadium, the atmosphere was just unbelievable. I remember thinking “Wow, this is different, this is something else.” The celebrations with the lads afterwards, that moment when it really hit us that we’d done it, was incredible. Liverpool’s second Premier League title in five years, and my first.

From my point of view, as a small child, you dream of these moments, so to achieve this is really special. I’m proud to have played a part in what was an unforgettable season. And now, we’re already looking forward to next season. We’re hungry for more.

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You made your Netherlands debut in 2021 and played in the Euro 2024 tournament. How does representing your country compare to club football?

Every player dreams of representing their country. It’s a special feeling, and it’s definitely a bit different from playing for your club. You give everything for both, of course, but when you pull on that national shirt, there’s a unique sense of pride that comes with it.

And when it’s a major tournament, it just hits differently. You feel the whole country behind you. It’s powerful. That kind of support gives you an extra push. I’m hungry to be part of a successful Netherlands team, and I’ll give everything to help bring success to the national side in the years to come.

What are your goals for the national team over the next few years, especially with World Cup qualifiers and tournaments ahead?

The main goal right now is clear. We want to qualify for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. That’s the big focus for us as a team. It’s never easy, but we believe in the group we have, and hopefully we can get there and make it a successful tournament.

But beyond that, every time I step on the pitch for the national team, I want to help. Whether it’s a qualifier, a friendly, or a tournament match, I want to give everything and do whatever I can to help the Netherlands be successful.

You’re known for being calm, composed, and a great listener. How do those qualities help you navigate pressure both on and off the pitch?

Personally, I'm a just a quiet, relaxed guy, so on the pitch I'm mostly the same. Before the game, I listen to my music to be relaxed, be focused, to go in the game.

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Music plays a big role in your life—what’s on your current playlist, and does music help you get into the zone before matches?

I’ve always loved music, I listen to everything from hip-hop to dance. It really helps me get in the zone. I don’t have a set playlist before games, but I like to mix it up with different genres to help me lock in and get focused before stepping onto the pitch.

After the Crystal Palace game on the final day, we had the open-top bus parade through Liverpool the next day, and that was something else. Calvin Harris was on the decks for us, which was unreal. He had the whole team buzzing with the tunes he was playing. It made an already unforgettable day even more special. We all loved it and loved having Calvin Harris there.

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When you’re not playing football, you’re often gaming and are also a fan of anime. What are your other go-to activities to relax and decompress?

With the schedule we have, playing so many games, often twice a week, there’s not a lot of time for much else. But when I do get some downtime, I like to keep it simple. I enjoy going out for lunch with my family, playing a bit of Call of Duty with my mates, or just switching off and watching a good series.

And yeah, I’m about to become a dad soon, so I’m starting to get ready for that next chapter. It’s exciting. Right now, I’m just really happy doing what I love, staying focused, staying motivated, and looking forward to what’s ahead both on and off the pitch.

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What keeps you motivated at this stage in your career, and what are you most excited to achieve next—club, country, or even beyond football?

I’m still young, I haven’t even started thinking about life after football yet. Right now, my full focus is on what’s ahead with both my club and the national team. There’s so much I still want to achieve.

I’ve been lucky enough to win league titles in the Netherlands, Germany, and England, but as a player, you’re always chasing more. That hunger never goes away, and I feel that every day. I’m only 23, so I know there are many years ahead, and big moments still to come.

Winning the Champions League is a massive dream of mine, that’s one I haven’t ticked off yet. And of course, to achieve something special with the national team, a Euro or even a World Cup, that would mean everything. There’s still a lot to aim for, and that’s what keeps me going.

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TEAM CREDITS:

talent RYAN JIRO GRAVENBERCH
photography ZEKARIA AL-BOSTANI
styling GLORIA JOHNSON
makeup CORINNE GIBBONS
grooming GABRIEL BRIÑAS
photography assistant TARKAN MEHMET
styling assistant JONNESS CONTEH
creative assistant FAYSAL HASSAN
lighting PETER O’SULLIVAN
videography DAMETREUS WARD
location WEYGATES
production and casting TUNNEL MEDIA GROUP
exec production DANIELLE HAWKINS
casting director ALI VERONA
special thanks to LIVERPOOL FC
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN