Jaydon Banel has the great ambition to shine for the first team of Ajax one day. The talented attacker plays a lot this season for Young Ajax, although he naturally hopes for more. Still, he is proud that he has already made his professional debut, he tells Ajax Life.
“Of course I consider my first match with Jong Ajax as a debut, but personally I think there is only one real debut and that is there,” said Banel, who nods his head to the Johan Cruijff ArenA located further away during the interview. “One day I hope to shine in that stadium for the supporters,” says the born Amsterdammer.
Banel is described by many as ‘humble and shy’, but in the conversation with Ajax Life He also shows that he has a lot of self-confidence. ‘I’ve never been in the spotlight until now, if I’m being honest. I was good, but I wasn’t seen as a top talent. But I know about myself: I am the best. I just have to have that attitude as a footballer. Sometimes I saw lists on the internet containing the ten greatest Ajax talents. Didn’t help me, but it did motivate me. I can help with that too, I thought.’
‘Fully engaged in what I want to achieve at Ajax’
The talented attacker will do anything to eventually succeed at Ajax. He talks a lot with his parents about possible pitfalls. “I live for football and have never messed with anything. I don’t hang out on the street until late at night. I never had that need. I am fully occupied with what I want to achieve at Ajax.’
The ambitions of Banel, who has a contract with Ajax until mid-2025, are clear: he wants to show himself in the first team. Yet – given the great competition in the first team – there is a chance that he will play a lot for Jong Ajax next season. “It’s all up to me,” he says. “I was already on the bench twice at the first. If I help the team with goals and assists, things can move quickly. I hope to finish this season as good as possible and then I have to show myself in preparation for the new season.’
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