Ryan Babel

Ryan Miguel Guno Babel (born 19 December 1986) In 1997, Ryan Babel attended a youth selection day with AFC Ajax. Ryan Babel made it through the first selection round, but failed to progress any further. However, the next year Ajax accepted Ryan Babel and Ryan Babel played the 1998–99 season for their D1 team. 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 Ryan Babel first senior goal against De Graafschap in a 5–0 victory.

In July 2005, Babel signed a new contract with Ajax. Ryan Babel 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 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Brøndby IF as Ajax made it to the group stage. 2005–06 was a tougher season for Babel in general though as Ryan Babel managed only two league goals. Ryan Babel did however continue to feature for the national team, and scored Ryan Babel second goal against Italy national football team in November. At the end of the season, Babel came on as a second-half substitute (football) in Ajax's 2–1 victory over PSV in the KNVB 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 F.C. and Newcastle United during the January transfer window of the 2007 in football (soccer) but no move materialised. Amidst the transfer speculation, Babel agreed to a new three-year deal with Ajax on 2 February 2007. 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.

Liverpool

On 10 July 2007 it was reported that Liverpool F.C had made a pound sterling14 million offer to the Amsterdam club. 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. Ryan Babel was unveiled on 13 July with Yossi Benayoun. Babel was handed the number 19 shirt. Ryan Babel made Ryan Babel debut on 17 July against Werder Bremen in a friendly. Ryan Babel 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.

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

Liverpool and Celtic F.C. legend Kenny Dalglish has said that Babel has the ability to terrorise defenders in the Premier League with Ryan Babel pace and trickery with the ball. On 13 September 2008, Babel came off the bench to score the winner for Liverpool in a 2–1 victory over Manchester United, Ryan Babel first goal of the Premier League 2008-09 Babel scored Ryan Babel second goal of the season in Liverpool's 5–1 victory over Newcastle United F.C. on 28 December 2008. It has to be noted that Ryan Babel underachieved since Ryan Babel goal against Manchester United as a consistent Albert Riera has kept Ryan Babel on the bench most of the time, Liverpool would expect more of Ryan Babel in the 2009-2010 season if they are going to challenge Manchester United for the title. Rafael Benitez said that Ryan Babel will have to learn some new tricks as well.

International career

Babel took part in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. 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 Ryan Babel penalty).

Later that season, Babel made Ryan Babel international debut on 26 March 2005, away against Romanian national football team. Ryan Babel entered the game as a first-half substitute for Arjen Robben and went on to score the second goal in a 2–0 victory. Van Basten has been quoted as saying Babel "has all the potential to become the next Thierry Henry".

In June 2007, Babel was part of the Netherlands national under-21 football team competing in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football 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. Ryan Babel second tournament goal came during Ryan Babel man of the match performance in the final as the Netherlands defeated Serbia national under-21 football team 4–1 to retain their title.

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 F.C. defender Khalid Boulahrouz to Ryan Babel squad in place of Babel.In December I'll be 23. When you reach that age, then in my eyes you aren't a potential talent any more," Babel said