Eljero Elia
A blisteringly fast Dutch winger whose dazzling runs lit up the Eredivisie and powered his national team to a World Cup final.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Dutch footballer·Birthday: February 13·Millennials
Biography
Eljero Elia's football was pure, exhilarating speed. The left-winger exploded onto the scene at ADO Den Haag and Ajax, his direct style and explosive acceleration making him one of the most thrilling talents in the Netherlands. A key part of the FC Twente side that won their first-ever Eredivisie title in 2010, his form earned him a high-profile move to Juventus and later the German Bundesliga. On the international stage, Elia was a potent weapon off the bench for the Dutch national team during their memorable run to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in South Africa. While his club career later took him to places like Southampton and Istanbul Basaksehir, he is best remembered for those electrifying moments when he received the ball, dropped a shoulder, and simply left defenders in his wake.
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.
Eljero was born in 1987, 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 Eljero Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Eljero's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
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
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2010 Eredivisie title with FC Twente, contributing 9 goals and 10 assists.
- Played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final for the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute.
- Earned over 30 caps for the Dutch national team between 2009 and 2018.
Did You Know?
He is of Surinamese descent.
He scored on his debut for the Dutch national team in a friendly against Japan in 2009.
After retiring, he launched a clothing brand called 'CRZY ELIA'.
“I play with my heart and always give everything on the pitch.”
