March 18, 2025, marks the 125th anniversary of Ajax. What better time to reflect on some of my favorite moments as a fan? From unforgettable matches to the legends I’ve had the privilege of watching live, here are my most cherished Ajax memories.
My First Game In The Stadium
As a kid, I watched countless Ajax games on TV before finally experiencing one live. Living far from Amsterdam, getting to a match wasn’t easy, but on August 8, 2001, the moment finally arrived: my first Ajax game, a Champions League qualifier against Celtic.
One of my earliest memories from that night was climbing high into the stands and feeling a bit uneasy—maybe that’s where my fear of heights began. The game itself will always be special to me, not for the result, but because it was my first time seeing Ajax in the flesh. Sadly, the scoreline wasn’t in our favor, with a 1-3 loss, but that didn’t matter. I loved every second of it. A true fan sticks with the club through the highs and lows—and that night, I knew I was Ajax for life.
Favorite Game
There are so many matches that come to mind when thinking about my all-time favorite. The 1-4 away win against Real Madrid in 2019 is a strong contender, but there’s another that stands above the rest. For that, we have to rewind all the way to 2011.
It was the final game of the season—a straight battle between Ajax and FC Twente to decide the champion. Ajax had struggled for years to reclaim the title, and this wasn’t just any trophy—it would be their historic 30th. The suspense was unbearable, not just on matchday but for the entire week leading up to it. There was a sense that Ajax would finally do it, but FC Twente was one of the toughest teams to beat at the time. Could Ajax pull it off?
They did.
From the opening whistle, the fans created an electrifying atmosphere. When Siem de Jong put Ajax ahead, the entire stadium erupted—pure chaos and euphoria. But the game was far from over. Twente remained dangerous, and Ajax struggled to extend their lead.
Then came the second half, and fate intervened. An own goal pushed Ajax to 2-0, and it felt like the title was within reach—surely, nothing could go wrong now? Just a minute later, Twente struck back, making it 2-1. The tension was unbearable. Every Twente attack felt like a dagger, and for a moment, the fear crept in: ‘Could it slip away?’
Then, in the 78th minute, Siem de Jong struck again—3-1. There was still time left, but this was Ajax’s night. The celebrations were unforgettable, and winning the title in this fashion, with the weight of history behind it, is what makes this my all-time favorite match.
Least Favorite Game
Looking back at the highs means also acknowledging the lows—and unfortunately, there have been plenty. My least favorite game? No contest—it stood out immediately. The 0-6 loss against Feyenoord last year.
It wasn’t just the scoreline—Ajax has suffered heavy defeats before. What made this my least favorite wasn’t just the score, but the sheer helplessness. We couldn’t create anything in the final third, and Feyenoord barely had to try. They tore us apart with ease. Losing is one thing. Losing that badly to our biggest rivals? Unbearable.
Each goal was another gut punch, and with every one, the pain got worse. To make matters worse, that entire season was arguably one of the worst in the club’s history. It was a complete disaster from start to finish.
But as painful as it was, you can’t only look back at the good times. The tough moments shape a club just as much as the triumphs. And when success does return, it feels even sweeter—just like it did this season, when we got our revenge and beat them twice
Favorite Player
Before revealing my favorite Ajax player, I want to give a few honorable mentions. Of course, legends like Johan Cruijff and Jari Litmanen deserve a mention, but I’m only considering players I’ve watched live and actively followed during their time at Ajax. Some of my personal favorites include Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Luis Suárez, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
But without a shadow of a doubt, the player who stands above the rest for me is Cristian Chivu.
As a left-footed center-back myself, I was naturally drawn to watching how the professionals played the position—especially Chivu. He arrived at Ajax as a young talent, but from the moment I saw him play, he caught my eye. His positioning stood out to me, and despite his young age, he commanded the defense with natural leadership. It was no surprise when he became captain.
Chivu might not be the first name that comes up in discussions about legendary center-backs, but for me, he was truly one of a kind. I always wished he had stayed longer or returned later in his career, but that never happened. Still, who knows what the future holds?
Happy 125 year anniversary Ajax