Early Life and Background
Georginio Gregion Emile Wijnaldum, known as Georginio Wijnaldum, was born on November 11, 1990, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. At 31 years old (as of July 2022), Wijnaldum stands at a height of 1.75 meters and weighs 74 kg. He was raised by his mother, Maureen Wijnaldum, and father, Ramon van La Parra, who are both of Afro-Surinamese descent. His parents divorced when he was six years old, and Wijnaldum moved in with his grandmother in Rotterdam. Despite having the surname Boateng, which he inherited from his former stepfather, Wijnaldum dropped it after his mother’s divorce and took on her maiden name.
Family and Siblings
Wijnaldum has two younger brothers, Rogerio and Giliano, along with a half-brother, Rajiv van La Parra, who is also a professional footballer. Giliano and Rajiv have played for various European clubs, with Rajiv currently at Red Star and Giliano at Sparta Rotterdam.
Football Career
Wijnaldum’s football journey began in 1997 when he joined the youth academy of Sparta Rotterdam at the age of seven. He spent seven years at the academy before moving to Feyenoord in 2004. He made his Eredivisie debut in April 2007 with FC Groningen, and by 2010, was recognized as one of the world’s top hundred great talents by the Spanish magazine Don Balón.
PSV Eindhoven (2011-2015)
In 2011, Wijnaldum was signed by PSV Eindhoven for around $5.9 million. He became a regular first-team player and was even offered the number 10 shirt and the team captaincy.
Newcastle United (2015-2016)
In 2015, Wijnaldum moved to Newcastle United, who paid PSV approximately $17.2 million for his services. He quickly made an impact, scoring four goals in a 6-2 victory over Norwich City. Unfortunately, despite his personal success, Newcastle was relegated that season, prompting Wijnaldum to reconsider his future at the club.
Current Teams and Net Worth
As of 2022, Wijnaldum plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Netherlands national team. His weekly salary is reported to be $213,500, with a net worth of $14 million and a market value of $21.4 million. Wijnaldum is also active on social media, with a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
