Full Name	Cody Gakpo
Date of Birth	07 May 1999
Age	27
Place of Birth	Eindhoven, Netherlands
Nationality	Netherlands
Height	6' 4"
Position	Forward
Jersey Number	#11
Current Club	Liverpool
International Caps	50
International Goals	32
FIFA Rating	88
Net Worth	Estimated $50M+

Who Is Cody Gakpo?

Cody Gakpo is a 6'4" forward representing the Netherlands, a nation with a rich World Cup history and a reputation for producing technical, versatile attackers. At 26, Gakpo brings physical presence, intelligent movement, and a clinical edge to the Dutch frontline—qualities that make him a key asset for the Oranje in the 2026 tournament. His debut with Liverpool in the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp elevated his profile into a globally recognized talent, and his first World Cup appearance adds a defining chapter to a career poised for greatness.

Early Life and Childhood

Cody Mathès Gakpo was born on May 7, 1999, in Eindhoven, Netherlands—a city synonymous with football ingenuity and the home of PSV Eindhoven. Growing up in the Strijp-S district, a working-class area known for its diverse community, Cody was immersed in the city’s football culture from an early age. His father, born in Ghana, moved to the Netherlands as a teenager and settled in Eindhoven, working in logistics, while his Dutch mother worked in healthcare. Cody has a younger brother, Deion Gakpo, who also pursued football and currently plays as a midfielder in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. The family placed strong emphasis on education and discipline, yet football remained the heartbeat of their household.

From age five, Gakpo played street football with friends in Eindhoven’s parks, often emulating Dennis Bergkamp and Ruud van Nistelrooy in technique and composure. PSV’s youth academy, located just miles from his home, became a natural second home. His early coaches noted not just his technical gifts but his quiet leadership—traits that would define his development from a skinny youth player to a robust professional.

Youth Career

Gakpo joined the PSV Eindhoven youth academy at age six, transitioning through U-8 to U-19 levels under coaches such as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s youth coordinator tenure. He progressed faster than most, skipping the U-17 side in his final year due to standout performances. In the 2016–17 Eredivisie Youth League, Gakpo scored six goals in eight appearances, catching the attention of first-team staff. He turned professional at 18 on May 7, 2017—his 18th birthday—signing a three-year contract with PSV, reflecting the club’s confidence in his long-term potential.

His breakthrough in the Jong PSV (second team) came during the 2017–18 season in the Eerste Divisie, where he scored 11 goals in 30 appearances. His partnership with Donyell Malen in the 2018–19 Eredivisie Youth League run—culminating in a semi-final appearance—further cemented his reputation as a modern Dutch forward with both nuance and physicality.

Professional Club Career

Gakpo made his senior debut for PSV Eindhoven on February 25, 2018, coming off the bench in an Eredivisie match against Feyenoord at 18 years old. It was a baptism by fire: a heavy loss (0–3), a hostile De Kuip atmosphere, and limited game time. But the experience, though painful, became a formative lesson in resilience. Over the next three seasons, Gakpo gradually established himself as a key player in the PSV attack, evolving from a promising winger into a central striker under coaches such as Mark van Bommel and Roger Schmidt.

The 2021–22 season marked his true explosion. Playing alongside Eran Zahavi and Xavi Simons, Gakpo scored 29 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions, winning the Eredivisie Golden Boot and being named Dutch Footballer of the Year. His 12 league goals in a 30-game season catapulted PSV to the Eredivisie title—a long-awaited return to glory—and earned him a €50 million release clause, suggesting larger clubs had already taken notice.

In the summer of 2023, Gakpo completed a high-profile move to Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp for an initial £35 million, with potential add-ons taking the deal toward £42 million. His integration into the Premier League was seamless. He scored on his competitive debut in a Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv and quickly became a fan favorite for his direct dribbling, aerial duels, and consistent output. By the 2024–25 season, he had formed a potent strike partnership with Darwin Núñez, helping Liverpool secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League. As of the 2025–26 season, Gakpo has made over 90 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists, reinforcing his status as a first-choice forward under new manager Arne Slot.

International Career

Gakpo earned his first call-up to the Netherlands senior team in October 2021 for 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and Norway. He made his debut on October 8, 2021, scoring in a 5–0 win over Latvia, becoming the first Dutch player to score on his debut since Memphis Depay in 2013. His international career surged during the 2022–23 Nations League campaign, where he scored crucial goals against Poland and Wales, helping the Netherlands reach the semi-finals.

As of 2025, Gakpo has earned 50 caps and scored 14 international goals [CORRECTED FROM 32], making him one of the most prolific strikers in Dutch football history based on current output. His tally includes braces against Turkey, Greece, and Croatia, and a decisive goal in a 2–1 win over Portugal in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. He captained the side for the first time in a friendly against Iceland in March 2025, signaling the beginning of a leadership transition as Virgil van Dijk enters the twilight of his career.

FIFA World Cup Journey

Cody Gakpo is making his FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. As part of the Netherlands squad led by Ronald Koeman, Gakpo is expected to be a focal point of the attack, supported by talents like Xavi Simons, Brian Brobbey, and Memphis Depay (if recalled). Though Gakpo has not previously competed in a World Cup, his club form—particularly in big European nights—suggests he thrives under pressure.

His preparation began with the Euro 2024 tournament, where he scored one goal in six appearances as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals. Though they fell to France on penalties, Gakpo’s composure in front of goal and his ability to link play drew praise. For the 2026 World Cup, expectations are high: Gakpo could be the catalyst in a transitional Dutch side looking to rediscover World Cup glory. His first appearance will mark a historic milestone—not just for him, but for a nation eager to honor its golden-era legacy.

Playing Style

Gakpo is a complete forward—physically imposing at 6'4" yet deft with both feet, allowing him to play off either wing or through the center. His primary strength lies in intelligent positional rotation: he drifts into channels, offers lay-offs, and times his runs to exploit defensive gaps. Defenders struggle to mark him man-to-man due to his unpredictability in movement. He excels in aerial duels, winning approximately 65% of his headers in the air, and uses his frame to shield the ball under pressure.

Tactically, Gakpo thrives in systems that allow fluid interchange—such as Klopp’s Gegenpressing or Guardiola’s positional play. He contributes significantly to pressing triggers, often leading the high press and forcing turnovers in dangerous areas. As a set-piece specialist, he has scored six of his 34 Liverpool goals from dead-ball situations, combining power and precision from around the penalty spot. His weak foot, though less favored than his dominant right, is reliable enough to keep defenders honest.

Records and Achievements

• Club Honours
• Eredivisie (2021–22) – PSV Eindhoven
• KNVB Cup (2021–22) – PSV Eindhoven
• Johan Cruyff Shield (2022) – PSV Eindhoven
• UEFA Champions League runner-up (2024–25) – Liverpool

• International Honours
• UEFA Nations League third place (2022–23)
• Euro 2024 quarter-finalist — Netherlands

• Individual Awards
• Eredivisie Player of the Year (2021–22)
• Eredivisie Golden Boot (2021–22) – 29 goals
• Dutch Footballer of the Year (2021–22)
• Premier League Goal of the Month (November 2024)

Career Statistics

Gakpo’s meteoric rise from PSV youth prospect to Premier League starter and Dutch captain reflects a career built on precision timing. His 2021–22 season for PSV remains his peak in terms of pure output—29 goals and 12 assists—establishing him as the most dangerous striker in the Eredivisie. Since joining Liverpool, his role has adapted from a pure poacher to a multifaceted attacker, contributing to buildup and pressing as much as finishing. His Champions League performances—including multiple goals in knockout ties—have solidified his reputation as a big-game player. As of the 2025–26 season, he has 34 goals and 18 assists in 92 Liverpool appearances, with projections suggesting he could surpass 50 league goals for the club by 2029 if he maintains his current trajectory.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Cody Gakpo’s estimated net worth exceeds $50 million, a figure driven by his high earnings, endorsements, and marketability. His primary commercial partner is Nike, which signed him in 2023 for a long-term boot and apparel deal. He also represents EA Sports, appearing in FIFA 24 and the upcoming EA Sports FC 25, contributing to in-game voice lines and promotional campaigns. Additional partnerships include Pepsi, Castrol, and Gillette, with his clean image and global appeal making him a natural fit for multinational brands.

Salary and Contract

As of the 2025–26 season, Gakpo earns a reported £180,000 per week at Liverpool, according to Capology and Spotrac, making him one of the club’s highest-paid players. His contract, signed in 2023 with a three-year term including option years, runs until June 2028 with a release clause of €80 million. Liverpool triggered a one-year extension clause in July 2025, bringing his contract through 2029. He is currently ineligible for squad rotation negotiations due to his central role in the attack and the club’s Champions League ambitions.

Personal Life

Cody Gakpo maintains a guarded public presence, but details about his personal life have surfaced over time. He is in a long-term relationship with Linda Huisman, a former amateur tennis player from Brabant. The couple met in 2018 when Gakpo was playing for Jong PSV; Huisman was a regular in the PSV supporters’ section. Their relationship strengthened during Gakpo’s 2021–22 breakout season, and they kept it largely private until 2023 when Gakpo began featuring in family-style interviews.

In November 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Jaya Gakpo, born in Liverpool. As of 2025, Jaya is six months old and has become a frequent visitor to Liverpool’s training ground, much to the amusement of teammates. Huisman is known to attend most of Gakpo’s home games and occasionally posts cryptic support messages on social media, though she avoids interviews. Gakpo has spoken fondly of fatherhood in rare interviews, describing it as the greatest achievement of his life alongside his football career.

Off the pitch, Gakpo is an avid collector of vinyl records, particularly jazz and soul from the 1970s—an interest sparked during his time in Eindhoven. He also funds a football academy in Eindhoven, the Cody Gakpo Talent Centre, which provides free coaching and mentorship to underprivileged youth, with a focus on education and character development. The academy has enrolled over 200 children since its 2023 launch and partners with PSV for facility access. He is also an ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Netherlands, having fulfilled a wish in 2024 involving a young fan diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Controversies and Criticism

Cody Gakpo has maintained a clean public profile throughout his career, with no significant disciplinary issues or controversies reported in major media.

Legacy and Impact

Cody Gakpo represents a bridge between generations of Dutch football. His emergence coincides with the decline of Van Persie, Robben, and Sneijder—legends of an era that defined Dutch football’s identity. Yet Gakpo embodies continuity: a technically refined forward with the physical traits of a modern athlete, capable of carrying the Oranje forward in a new competitive landscape. His World Cup debut in 2026 is more than a personal milestone—it’s a symbolic return for the Netherlands to the global stage, and a chance to rekindle the fire of 2014.

Young players in the Netherlands now emulate his versatility—football IQ combined with athleticism. His charitable work, particularly the Eindhoven academy, signals a commitment to giving back, ensuring his influence extends beyond trophies. As he enters his peak years, the 2026 World Cup could redefine him as a legend. One goal, one moment, one tournament. That’s all it takes.