Orange international Ryan Gravenberch's TROPHY

Passion, ambition and commitment bring talents to their goal of being the best. Being among the best means "work hard," but it also definitely means "play hard. The TROPHY BY GASSAN brand made its debut in the jewelry market earlier this year and agrees with that message to the max. The 19-year-old soccer talent Ryan Gravenberch can proudly call himself one of the high-end brand's first ambassadors. Reason enough for GASSAN to ask the Dutch national some pressing questions.

Already curious about TROPHY BY GASSAN? Check it out!Text: Patrick Stoffer
Image: TROPHY BY GASSAN

You are an ambassador for TROPHY BY GASSAN. The brand translates the passion to be the best into iconic customized jewelry, which, like a personal trophy, is a translation of the journey to success. What is your biggest TROPHY moment?

"My debut in the Dutch national team. As a little boy I always looked up to the national team and when I got to play for Oranje, I was really proud of myself.

The word TROPHY for me also stands for the beautiful things I have experienced in my career at Ajax and worked hard for. That we became national champions is a TROPHY moment for me, just like when I made my debut at Ajax as the youngest player."

Can you tell a bit about your gem from TROPHY BY GASSAN?

"The number 8 plays a very big role in my jewelry, I have been playing with number 8 all my life and it is my favorite number. I have my jewel designed by TROPHY BY GASSAN because I have known the people at GASSAN for a while and it feels familiar. Three years ago I came here for the first time, I had just signed my first contract with Ajax and bought my watch here. Since then we've stayed in touch, it's a football-minded company and the quality there is top notch."

You come from the youth academy, were named Talent of the Future in 2018 and have been named one of Ajax's key players. Where do you see yourself standing in ten years?

"I've been playing at the club since I was seven, so basically my whole life. Right now Ajax is still the club that appeals to me the most. In ten years I would like to play at a big other top European club and have won a lot of prizes. But I don't want to make a move abroad until I'm really ready."

When are you ready for that, what are your areas of improvement?

"If I reach a good level in the matches every week. I want to increase my game share and be able to head better."

Your eight-year older brother Danzell is also a professional soccer player and plays for Sparta Rotterdam. In February you faced each other in the game, how was that?

"I find it special and especially very fun to play against my brother. I used to look up to him and now I face him in the field. He is in the striker and I am in midfield and I look up to him a bit as well. We trained with each other a lot and know each other's qualities. That makes it fun to play against each other."

You come from a real soccer family. You and your brother are pros and your parents both played soccer as well.

"That's right, they were both midfielders in the amateurs. My father thinks with me and also my mother occasionally gives me tips on how to do better."

Do your parents see to it that you live like a pro?

"My parents are very relaxed. I'm at an age now where I have to make my own choices and they give me a lot of responsibility."