Every once in a while, a true fairytale unfolds before our eyes. And while all great stories must eventually find their ending, some leave behind a legacy that time cannot erase. This is the story of Toby Alderweireld – a boy from Antwerp who dreamed with a ball at his feet, who conquered Europe’s grandest stages, and who returned home to etch his name into the soul of a city and its club.
From the cobblestone streets in the shadow of Antwerp’s majestic cathedral to the roar of England’s Premier League arenas, Toby has lived the dream. A dream sculpted in ambition, shaped by resilience, and sealed with triumph. His journey began when he left home as a promising youngster to join the famed Ajax Youth Academy in Amsterdam, signing his first professional contract and quickly making waves. From there, destiny pulled him to Atlético Madrid, then across the channel to Southampton FC, where he took his first steps into English football.
Though his time at Southampton was short, it was impactful. Under Ronald Koeman, Toby became the spine of a defence that quickly turned heads. Calm, composed, and commanding – he played with a maturity far beyond the numbers on the back of his shirt. Yet that was merely the opening act of his Premier League symphony.
In 2015, Tottenham Hotspur came calling – and Alderweireld answered. In North London, he flourished into one of the world’s most respected defenders. Together with compatriot Jan Vertonghen, he anchored one of the league’s tightest backlines. The 2016/17 season saw Spurs concede just 26 goals – a club record – and finish second. But it wasn’t only about clean sheets and tactics. There was heart. Fire. Moments of sheer drama, like that fabled Champions League comeback against Ajax in 2019. Toby himself called it “one of the best games in the history of football.” Tottenham fans embraced him not just as a player, but as a symbol – a warrior in white, a legend in their eyes.
And yet, somehow, he saved the best for his true love 🇵🇪
In 2022, Toby returned home, to his city Antwerp, where he joined Belgian’s #1 team: Royal Antwerp FC. “I came here to win trophies,” he declared upon arrival. And he meant every word. As captain, he led the club through a historic season, lifting the Belgian Cup, the long-coveted League Title – a historical double (!) – and the Supercup. He didn’t just lead from the back – he inspired from the front. Under his stewardship, Antwerp qualified for the Champions League, and at the Bosuil, they produced a night for the ages: a 3–2 victory over FC Barcelona.
93:33 – Symbol of Triumph, Resilience, and Destiny
The league title? That came in a way only football’s greatest scripts could deliver. On June 4, 2023, 93 minutes 33 seconds on the clock, and the League Title slipping away, Toby struck … A thunderous shot into the top corner. 2–2 against Genk. And with that goal – with that moment – Royal Antwerp were crowned champions of Belgium for the first time since 1957. “I have no words for this,” he said. “Everyone wrote us off. We fought so hard for this. Everyone was against us, but we did it today.” He sprinted the full length of the pitch, arms aloft, into a sea of red-and-white – a moment etched forever in RAFC hearts.
And the fairytale only deepened. In January 2024, Alderweireld was crowned with the Belgian Golden Shoe – the highest individual honour in Belgian football. “I really gave everything last year,” he said. “On and off the pitch. Even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have dared to dream it.” But he wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Royal Antwerp swept the awards: Best Coach (Mark Van Bommel), Best Goalkeeper (Jean Butez), Best Young Player (Arthur Vermeeren), and the Most Beautiful Goal – Toby’s masterpiece.
His connection to Antwerp is more than symbolic – it’s tattooed on his skin, quite literally, with the city’s cathedral inked on his arm. When asked why he made the bold choice to return as a footballer, he confessed: “When I had the chance to come to Antwerp FC, I called several people in football. Nine out of ten said I shouldn’t do it. They thought the club wasn’t ready. I did it anyway, out of love. And look now…”
That love, that unwavering belief, turned a team into Champions, and a player into a Legend.
Today, Toby Alderweireld stands not just as a footballer who came home – but as the living, breathing heartbeat of Royal Antwerp FC’s greatest modern story. He has given everything to his team, to his club, to his supporters, and to his city. His journey is more than a football career – it is poetry, written in goals, tackles, trophies, and tears.
🔴 ⚪️ Merci – thank you, Toby. For every moment. For the glory. For the grit. For proving that sometimes, fairytales do come true. And in Antwerp’s greatest football tale – you will forever be the hero 🥇🏆 💪
