AC Milan star named after African legend leads them in Serie A matinee

The Rossoneri are about to face Parma in the early opening game of Sunday's Serie A menu (2.30 pm), and are eager to clinch a victory that would get them closer to those places near the summit.

Milan will be led by excellent versatile midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who's enjoying his probably best season since his arrival from the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2023. The 26-year-old Dutch international has attracted the attention of various European clubs with his constant and excellent performances, but what not many people know is that he got his name after an African football legend.

Reijnders, born in the Netherlands in 1998, recently revealed that his parents decided to name him after then-Ajax star and Nigerian forward Tijani Babangida. The mesmerizing winger spent four years at Amsterdam Arena between 1996 and 2000, probably inspiring Reijnders' parents to give their son his name despite having no ties with Nigeria whatsoever.

Tijjani is the 17th Dutchman in AC Milan's history and the first in this decade, following the path of his legendary compatriots such as Ruud Gulit, Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, etc.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 22

Friday

Torino - Cagliari 2-0 (1-0)

/Adams 6, 61/

Saturday

Como - Atalanta 1-2 (1-0)

/Paz 30 - Retegui 56,70/

Napoli - Juventus 2-1 (0-1)

/Zambo Anguissa 57, Lukaku 69 pen - Kolo Muani 43/

Empoli - Bologna 1-1 (1-1)

/Colombo 24 - Dominguez 44/

Sunday

14.30: (1.33) Milan (5.90) Parma (9.50)

17.00: (3.45) Udinese (3.35) Roma (2.25)

20.00: (10.0) Lecce (5.00) Inter (1.33)

22.45: (2.00) Lazio (3.45) Fiorentina (3.80)

Monday

20.30: (2.25) Venezia (3.45) Verona (3.45)

22.45: (2.20) Genoa (3.15) Monza (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***