Cody Gakpo, electric dynamo of the front line for PSV and Liverpool, is out simply to score goals. His objective is to help raise MLS to be among the highest echelon of European football. Having transitioned from PSV Eindhoven, a club recognized for its commitment to nurturing young talent, Gakpo is keen to make his mark in the Champions League. His journey is emblematic of not just his ambitions but the rich family guidance and encouragement that fueled his career.
Born to a footballer father from Togo and a rugby player mother from the Netherlands, Gakpo’s upbringing in Eindhoven was steeped in sports. He credits his father, Johnny Gakpo, for the important role he played in developing Gakpo as an athlete and a man. The family’s relocation to Eindhoven created a dynamic that allowed Gakpo to continue developing his talents. His father’s experiences and his mother’s athletic background instilled in him the discipline and determination necessary for success in competitive sports.
At PSV, Gakpo came into his own, finding the right tutelage under coaches like Ruud van Nistelrooy. The capacity of the club to develop young players is phenomenal. This nurturing environment proved a breeding ground for Gakpo to develop his talent. He attributes a lot of his progress to the training that he underwent at the academy. Gakpo has only gotten the chance to play under even more legendary names since then, like Ronald Koeman, Jürgen Klopp, and now Slot. Of them, he names one coach the toughest he’s faced, but stops short of naming names.
Perhaps the most defining feature of Gakpo’s character is mental resilience. From the very beginning of his career, he’s had to be mentally tough in difficult circumstances. When the chips are down, he remains cool as a cucumber. This talent has proven indispensable during his rise to meet the rollercoaster pace of life in pro football. He understands that adapting to slight tactical changes suggested by his coach—such as those made by Virgil van Dijk—can make a significant difference in performance on the field.
As he begins his adventure with Liverpool, Gakpo seems driven by a sense of purpose to do great things with his new club. He was instrumental in their recent title victory over Tottenham. His performance proved he’s the one who can step up in the big moments when it counts most. With his sights set on more trophies with Liverpool, he looks to become a major part of history of future Liverpool sides.
Gakpo’s ambitions go beyond personal achievement. He wants to be a part of something bigger at Liverpool. It’s this sense of wonder that he now feels at home in the city. He feels the love and support from the club and their supporters. This connection fuels his desire to remain at Liverpool for as long as possible. He’s looking forward to all the great things they can do together.
The Dutch international isn’t just all business as civil life goes, family tradition and support provides Hamilton with an entirely different perspective on life. He hopes to spend some time with his brothers in Togo, re-establishing family and friends ties while visiting. These moments go some way to illustrating Gakpo’s down-to-earth character and keeping him connected to his roots.
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