Tijjani Reijnders: From stacking shelves at Aldi to delivering the goods at City

In Zwolle, a city in the Dutch province of Overijssel, shoppers still queue at the local Aldi supermarket. Years ago, a 19-year-old cashier named Tijjani Reijnders worked there while chasing a football dream. Today, he wears Manchester City’s No. 4 shirt and plays under Pep Guardiola in the Premier League.

Early Days in Zwolle

Reijnders grew up in a football family. His father, Martin, was a striker for PEC Zwolle and later played in the United States. His mother, Angelina, wanted her sons to stay grounded, so when she saw a “staff required” sign at Aldi, she made Tijjani apply. He spent hours stacking shelves and working the till alongside friends who were also aspiring footballers. For him, the job was not about money, but about learning discipline and appreciating everyday life.

His younger brother, Eliano, also played for PEC and even worked at Lidl. Both boys were taught by their parents that experiencing “normal” work was essential to stay humble despite their football ambitions.

School and First Steps in Football

At primary school in Zwolle, Tijjani was the boy always kicking a ball in the playground. Teachers recall his smile and sociable nature, predicting he would one day make it as a professional. He started playing at WVF, a local amateur club, where coaches noticed his ability to read the game and handle opponents older and stronger than him.

He later joined FC Twente’s academy with his brother. The routine meant early morning drives, with his mother preparing Nutella sandwiches for the long commute. The sacrifices paid off in technical development, though eventually, he left Twente in 2015 to rejoin local football at CSV’28, coached by his father.

PEC Zwolle and the Move to AZ

Reijnders earned a brief debut for PEC Zwolle’s first team at 19, though only as a late substitute. At that time, he was still working shifts at Aldi. The turning point came with his move to AZ Alkmaar, where his talent blossomed. Taller and stronger after a growth spurt, he developed into a midfielder capable of scoring, creating, and controlling the tempo.

Rise to the Top

Reijnders admired Ronaldinho and Kaká as a boy, so when AC Milan signed him in 2023, pulling on the red-and-black shirt felt like a dream fulfilled. His father, who had idolized Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, was equally proud. For a while Barcelona had shown strong interest, but Milan provided the perfect stage.

In his debut Serie A season, he was named the league’s best midfielder, scoring 15 goals and establishing himself as a Netherlands international with over 25 caps. Soon after, Manchester City paid £45 million to bring him to England as a successor to Kevin De Bruyne.

Family and Character

Those who know Reijnders describe him as humble and family-oriented. He remains close to his childhood friends in Zwolle, still chatting in a WhatsApp group with teammates from his junior days. He married his childhood sweetheart, Marina, and they now have a son, Xavien. Family remains central: he calls his parents daily and often picks up his younger sister, a dancer, from school when back home.

Even after his first national team call-up, he had no problem letting his mother drive him to camp — a rare sight for a Dutch international. The family motto, “Walk with your head high, but never look down on anyone,” guides his approach on and off the pitch.

Manchester City and Beyond

Reijnders made an immediate impact at City, scoring a fine goal on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Guardiola praised his tactical awareness and technical ability, qualities that have quickly made him a fixture in midfield.

For his friends from Aldi and Zwolle, the journey is almost unbelievable — from filling shelves to filling stadiums. Yet they are not surprised. His former coach Rijk van Ark recalls that even at age eight, Tijjani could score bicycle kicks. For them, his success is simply the natural outcome of years of dedication, discipline, and talent.

A Humble Superstar

What stands out most is how little fame has changed him. In Zwolle, locals speak with pride of the boy who never forgot his roots. His story is not only about talent, but also about the grounding lessons of supermarket work, family sacrifice, and the refusal to accept a “Plan B.”

From Aldi to San Siro, and now to Manchester City, Reijnders has shown that dreams can be realized through hard work, humility, and an unshakable belief in the future.