Anwar El Ghazi
A mercurial Dutch winger whose powerful runs and decisive goals have illuminated clubs across Europe's top leagues.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Dutch footballer·Birthday: May 3·Millennials
Biography
Anwar El Ghazi's path was carved through the famed Ajax academy, a proving ground for technical wingers. He announced himself not with subtlety but with explosive pace and a hammer of a left foot, making his senior debut for Ajax as a teenager. His potential soon attracted a move to the French club Lille, but it was in England where he found his most prominent stage. A loan to Aston Villa in the Championship became permanent, and he scored the winning penalty in the 2019 playoff final that propelled Villa back to the Premier League. His time there was punctuated by streaks of brilliant, game-changing play, including a memorable goal in a historic 7-2 victory over Liverpool. Later spells at Everton and in Germany showcased his talent, though consistency remained the eternal challenge for a player capable of moments of pure match-winning quality.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anwar was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anwar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Anwar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the decisive penalty in the 2019 EFL Championship playoff final, securing Aston Villa's promotion to the Premier League.
- Scored 10 Premier League goals for Aston Villa during the 2020-21 season.
- Won the Eredivisie title and the Johan Cruyff Shield with Ajax in the 2013-14 season.
Did You Know?
He is of Moroccan descent and has represented the Moroccan national team at senior level.
His first name, Anwar, means 'rays of light' in Arabic.
He scored on his Premier League debut for Aston Villa against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2019.
“I will stand for what is right, even if I stand alone.”
