Brief Introduction of Wout Weghorst
Wout François Maria Weghorst is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Netherlands national team. Known for his towering height, impressive work rate, and goal-scoring ability, Weghorst has carved out a successful career in some of Europe’s top leagues. His journey is a testament to perseverance, having started in the second tier of Dutch football before rising through the ranks to play in the Eredivisie, Bundesliga, and the Premier League. He is particularly recognized for his “target man” role, utilizing his 1.97-meter frame to hold up play and his adeptness as a goal poacher inside the penalty area. Weghorst has also become a significant player for his national team, representing the Netherlands in major tournaments like UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he famously scored two crucial goals against Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Wout Weghorst Overview
| Full Name | Wout François Maria Weghorst |
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1992 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 33 |
| Birthplace | Borne, Overijssel, Netherlands |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Husband/Wife | Nikki van Esch (Partner) |
| Family | Parents: Frans Weghorst and Astrid Weghorst. Siblings: Twan, Ralf, and Niek Weghorst. Children: Juul, Lucie Marie, Suze Marie, and Wies Weghorst. |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | In a long-term relationship with Nikki van Esch. |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be around £19.1 million. |
Early Life and Education of Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst was born on August 7, 1992, in Borne, a town in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands. He comes from a wealthy family that owns a successful oil and gas company, Avia Weghorst, which operates over 130 petrol stations. Despite his family’s business background, Weghorst’s passion from a young age was football. His parents, Frans and Astrid Weghorst, initially had reservations about his football aspirations but eventually supported his ambitions. Weghorst is the third of four sons; his brothers are Twan, Ralf, and Niek. Alongside his football development, he pursued his education diligently, eventually earning degrees in Top Sports Management and Entrepreneurship and Business Administration. His youth football career began at local clubs RKSV NEO and DETO Twenterand before he joined the academy of Eredivisie club Willem II in 2011.
Wout Weghorst’s Career
Wout Weghorst’s professional career began not with a meteoric rise, but with a steady, determined climb through the ranks of Dutch football. After failing to break into the first team at Willem II, he moved to Eerste Divisie (second tier) club FC Emmen in 2012. He made his professional debut on August 10, 2012, and scored his first goal a month later. In two seasons with Emmen, he scored 21 goals in 66 appearances, demonstrating the goal-scoring prowess that would define his career.
This success earned him a move to the Eredivisie with Heracles Almelo in 2014 on a free transfer. He continued to impress, netting 24 goals over two seasons. In 2016, he took another step up, signing for AZ Alkmaar. At AZ, Weghorst truly flourished, becoming a prolific scorer and a key player for the team. In the 2017-18 season, he finished as the joint-third top scorer in the Eredivisie with 18 goals and was the top scorer in the KNVB Cup with nine goals. His impressive form at AZ, where he scored 45 goals in 86 appearances across all competitions, caught the attention of clubs in bigger European leagues.
In June 2018, Weghorst moved to the German Bundesliga, signing with VfL Wolfsburg for a reported fee of €10.5 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring 17 league goals in his first season, including his first hat-trick for the club. Over four seasons with Wolfsburg, he was remarkably consistent, scoring 70 goals in 144 appearances. His performances established him as one of the most reliable strikers in the Bundesliga.
In January 2022, Weghorst made a move to the English Premier League, joining Burnley for a £12 million fee. Following Burnley’s relegation, he had several loan spells. He first joined Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş for the 2022–23 season, then made a high-profile loan move to Manchester United in January 2023, where he won the EFL Cup, the first major trophy of his career. For the 2023–24 season, he was loaned to German club TSG Hoffenheim. In August 2024, Weghorst returned to his homeland, signing a two-year deal with Ajax, fulfilling a childhood dream.
On the international stage, Weghorst made his senior debut for the Netherlands in March 2018. He has since become a vital part of the national team, known for his ability to make a decisive impact, often as a substitute. His most memorable international performance came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, where he scored two late goals to force the match into extra time. He also represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, scoring crucial goals in the latter tournament.
Wout Weghorst Personal Life & Family
Wout Weghorst is in a long-term relationship with his partner, Nikki van Esch. The couple has been together since their high school years. They have four daughters together: Juul (born in 2018), Lucie Marie (born in 2020), Suze Marie (born in 2022), and Wies (born in late 2024). Nikki van Esch has been a significant source of support throughout Weghorst’s career, often choosing to maintain a private life away from the media spotlight. Weghorst was born to Frans and Astrid Weghorst and is one of four brothers, including Twan, Ralf, and Niek. His family owns the Avia Weghorst oil and gas company. Despite his wealthy background, Weghorst has always been driven by a passion for football rather than financial gain.
Awards and Achievements of Wout Weghorst
- English League Cup Winner: 2022-23 (with Manchester United)
- KNVB Cup Top Scorer: 2017-18
- Dutch Cup Runner-up: 2016-17, 2017-18 (with AZ Alkmaar)
Wout Weghorst Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Wout Weghorst’s net worth is estimated to be approximately £19.1 million. His income is primarily derived from his professional football contracts, which include his salary and various performance-based bonuses. At Ajax, his annual salary is reported to be around €2.5 million, which translates to a weekly wage of approximately €48,077. Throughout his career, particularly during his time at VfL Wolfsburg and his move to Burnley, he has commanded significant salaries and transfer fees, contributing to his overall net worth.
Legacy and Influence
Wout Weghorst’s legacy will be that of a determined and intelligent striker who maximized his unique physical attributes and unwavering work ethic to reach the top level of European football. Standing at 1.97m (6 ft 6 in), he is the archetypal ‘target man’, known for his aerial prowess and ability to hold up play, bringing teammates into the game. However, he is more than just a physical presence; he is also a renowned “goal poacher” with excellent finishing skills inside the penalty area. His style of play has often been compared to that of striker Edin Džeko. Furthermore, Weghorst is distinguished by his incredible pressing intensity; during the 2021–22 Premier League season, he averaged more presses per 90 minutes than any other player. This combination of physical strength, goal-scoring instinct, and relentless defensive work makes him a difficult opponent and a valuable asset to any team. His journey from the Dutch second division to playing for clubs like Manchester United and representing his country in major tournaments serves as an inspiration for aspiring footballers, proving that dedication and hard work can overcome perceived limitations in natural talent.
Interesting Facts about Wout Weghorst
- He comes from a very wealthy family that owns the Avia Weghorst oil and gas company, which operates around 130 petrol stations in the Netherlands.
- Despite his family’s business, he pursued football out of pure passion, not for financial reasons.
- He holds two university degrees: one in Business Administration and another in Top Sports Management and Entrepreneurship.
- During the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final, his two late goals against Argentina led to a memorable post-match confrontation where Lionel Messi called him “bobo” (which translates to “fool” or “idiot”), a moment that went viral.
- At UEFA Euro 2024, he scored the fastest goal by a substitute for the Netherlands in the tournament’s history, finding the net just 137 seconds after coming on against Poland.
Controversies
Wout Weghorst’s career has seen a few notable controversies. The most widely publicized incident occurred after the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. Following a tense match, Weghorst was involved in a verbal altercation with Lionel Messi during a post-match interview. Messi was heard calling Weghorst “bobo” (“fool” or “idiot”), a clip that quickly went viral. Weghorst later stated that he felt disrespected by Messi, who he claimed refused to shake his hand and spoke disrespectful words to him. Another minor controversy arose during his loan spell at Manchester United in March 2023. Before a match against Liverpool, he was filmed touching the “This is Anfield” sign in the tunnel, a gesture typically reserved for Liverpool players and fans. This led to criticism from some Manchester United supporters. Weghorst later clarified on social media that his only intention was to “wind up” his Dutch international teammate Virgil Van Dijk by preventing him from touching the sign, and reaffirmed his dedication to Manchester United. More recently, in November 2024, he faced criticism for his goal celebration in a Nations League match against Hungary, which occurred shortly after a Hungarian coach had collapsed on the sideline. Weghorst later expressed that the penalty he scored was “secondary to a life” and that he had checked on the coach’s condition at halftime.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – wout.weghorst (over 1.1 million followers)
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst’s career is a powerful narrative of ambition, resilience, and an unyielding will to succeed. From the lower leagues of Dutch football to the grand stages of the Premier League, Bundesliga, and international tournaments, he has consistently defied expectations. His journey is a testament to the idea that relentless hard work and self-belief can be just as crucial as innate talent. Now at Ajax, he continues to be an influential figure, bringing experience, leadership, and a unique skill set to the team. His contributions to the Dutch national team have often been dramatic and decisive, cementing his reputation as a player who thrives under pressure. As he continues his career, Wout Weghorst’s legacy is already secure as a dedicated professional who carved his own path to the top through sheer determination, leaving an indelible mark on every club he has represented and for his country. His story remains an inspiration, demonstrating that with the right mentality, any goal is within reach.
