Euro 2024: Meet Dutchstar Named After Tijani Babaginda -By Ayobami Okerinde

The 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany has witnessed some Nigerian presence, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze (England), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Manuel Akanji and Noah Okafor (Switzerland), Michael Folorunsho (Italy), and Joshua Zirkzee (Netherlands) all having Nigerian heritage. The story of Tijjani Reijnders is a different one.

Tijani was born to a Dutch father and an Indonesian mother, but despite not being of Nigerian descent, he was named after former Nigerian winger Tijani Babaginda.

His father, Martin Reijnders, is a former Dutch footballer who played primarily for PEC Zwolle during his career.

The 25-year-old midfielder, after his move to Italian side AC Milan last summer, revealed the mystery behind his name.

Speaking in a video on X, Tijani disclosed that his parents were captivated by the first name of Babaginda, who played for Dutch giants Ajax between 1996 and 2003.

“There is a football player from Ajax. His name is Tijani Babangida, and my parents liked his first name, and that is, “Reijnders said in a viral video on X.

On July 19, 2023, Tijani joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar, signing a five-year deal. In his debut season with the Rossoneri, he featured 36 times, scoring three goals.

He was named in Ronald Koeman’s squad for Euro 2024 and has played the entire minute in the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Poland in the opening game and the 0-0 draw against France at the tournament so far.