Sheraldo Becker
A late-blooming striker whose relentless drive propelled him from Germany's second division to the national team spotlight.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Surinamese footballer·Birthday: February 9·Millennials
Biography
Sheraldo Becker's path to the Bundesliga was anything but straightforward. Born in Amsterdam to Surinamese parents, the winger-turned-striker honed his craft in the famed Ajax academy but found his true breakout years later, at Union Berlin. After stints in the Netherlands that failed to ignite, his 2019 move to the then-promoted German side became a catalyst. Under coach Urs Fischer, Becker's explosive pace and directness transformed him into a central offensive force. His partnership with fellow striker Taiwo Awoniyi became the engine of Union's remarkable ascent, driving the club into European competition for the first time in its history. Becker's consistent threat and crucial goals earned him a debut for Suriname in 2021, where he instantly became a key figure, embodying a story of perseverance paying off at the highest level.
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.
Sheraldo 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 Sheraldo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Sheraldo'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
- Played a pivotal role in Union Berlin's historic fourth-place Bundesliga finish in 2022-23, securing UEFA Champions League qualification.
- Finished the 2022-23 Bundesliga season as Union Berlin's joint-top scorer with 11 goals.
- Made his senior international debut for Suriname in 2021 and quickly became a regular starter.
- Helped Union Berlin achieve promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time ever in 2019, though he joined after the promotion was secured.
Did You Know?
He is a dual citizen of the Netherlands and Suriname and represented the Netherlands at various youth levels before switching to Suriname.
His younger brother, Shaquille, is also a professional footballer playing in the Dutch league.
Becker originally played as a winger but was successfully converted into a more central attacking player at Union Berlin.
He scored his first professional hat-trick for ADO Den Haag in a 5-2 win over FC Groningen in 2017.
“My speed is my weapon, but at Union I learned to use it with a purpose.”
