Steven, one of Jurgen Berwijn Sr.’s two sons, grew up in a household that lived and breathed soccer, with a strong allegiance to FC Barcelona. Most evenings, his dad would lead football drills, tossing the ball in the air and teaching Steven how to control it with his chest or feet. The family loved travelling, and in 2008, they took a memorable trip to Spain to watch a match between Levante and Barcelona. They were Barça fans, a team then coached by Frank Rijkaard, who shared the same Surinamese roots as the Bergwijn family.
After the match, Jurgen Berwijn Sr decided to rent rooms in the same hotel where Frank Rijkaard and the Barça team were staying. This article recounts how the hotel’s computer room became the setting for a fateful meeting between a young Steven Bergwijn and Lionel Messi, a meeting that significantly impacted Steven’s life. Now, let’s dive into the story of this speedy Dutch talent whose journey was inspired by Messi and who has made his mark on the beautiful game.
Meeting Messi as a Child, Football Drills By Dad: Steven Bergwijn’s Untold Story
In a nutshell, this is a Life Story of Steven Bergwijn, the Dutch professional footballer. We begin telling the Dutchman’s story by unveiling events from his boyhood days. Then, we’ll proceed to tell you how Steven became famous as a professional footballer. To whet your autobiography appetite, here is his childhood to the adult gallery — a perfect intro to Steven Bergwijn’s Bio.
Steven Bergwijn Biography – Behold his Early Life and Great Rise.
Yes, the footballer of Surinamese descent is widely recognized for his exceptional talent and goal-scoring prowess. Despite this, many soccer fans may not have encountered a comprehensive biography of Steven Bergwijn, which promises to be intriguing. Without delay, let’s delve into his story.
Steven Bergwijn Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Steven Charles Bergwijn was born on the 8th day of October 1997 to his father, Jurgen Berwijn Sr and his mother (whom little is known about) in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Below is a photo of Steven Bergwijn’s parents – his heavily tattooed dad whom he takes his resemblance to, and a beautiful lady who could be his mum.
Meet Steven Bergwijn’s parents. His heavily tattooed dad and a beautiful lady, who might be his mum.
Having noticed his facial appearance, you could easily guess that Steven Bergwijn’s family origin is not fully Dutch. Did you know?… Both of Steven Bergwijn’s parents were born in Suriname.
Pictured below, perhaps you might NOT have known that the country of Suriname where Steven Bergwijn’s family came from, is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America.
This is Suriname, where Steven Bergwijn’s Parents came from.
As seen on Google Maps, Suriname is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana (the home country of Jean-Clair Todibo) to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south.
The fact that the country was formerly owned by the Netherlands explains why there are many people of Suriname family origin in Amsterdam.
Steven Bergwijn Early Life:
The Dutch footballer enjoyed a comfortable upbringing in his family home in Almere, a planned city in the province of Flevoland, Netherlands. Steven Bergwijn grew up in a supportive middle-class environment where he seemed to have everything he needed as a child. Speaking of his early preferences, here’s a photo of Bergwijn holding and possibly enjoying a bottle of Heineken beer at a young age.
A rare photo of Steven Bergwijn pictured drinking Heineken as a child.
Judging from the picture above, you might assume Steven Bergwijn’s parents probably had him as the last child and baby of the house.
The truth is, the Dribble King (his nickname) wasn’t born as the last child but one of three children to his parents.
He grew up alongside a brother and sister. Below is little Steven Bergwijn, alongside his kid brother.
You won’t believe who was in their background at the time both brothers took the photo. Well, you’ll get to know in the next section of this article.
Meet Steven Bergwijn’s brother. Both brothers had a shot with a legend.
Steven Bergwijn Education and Career Buildup:
Early Football Education with his Dad via Drills: Having a football-loving parent for a dad, it is only natural to see Steven Bergwijn falling in love with the beautiful game.
His dad, Jurgen Berwijn Sr, instilled the love of the beautiful game in him as soon as he could walk.
While growing up as a little child, Steven Bergwijn spent lots of time getting educated on the game through his dad.
According to ThePlayersTribute, both father and son performed lots of football drills before he began playing professionally. In the words of Steven Bergwijn,
“My dad will toss the ball up in the air, like, way, way, waaaay up. he taught me how to bring it down under control in different ways. Sometimes on my chest, sometimes with my feet.”
Jurgen Berwijn Sr’s determination to see his son become a footballer wasn’t just a passing fantasy.
To complement his football drills, he enrolled little Steven with ASC Waterwijk, a small local academy in the family neighbourhood.
Receiving a football-focused education was more than enough for Steven Bergwijn. Did you know that his parents were so passionate about the game that they saved up money to take the entire family to Spain to watch FC Barcelona?
How he met Lionel Messi as a 10-year-old:
In the year 2008, Steven Bergwijn’s family had a trip to Spain to watch the match between Levante and Barcelona, a match that the Catalans won 5-1.
Fortunately, Steven Bergwijn and his family, including his brother, sister, and parents, ended up renting rooms in the same hotel where Frank Rijkaard’s Barça team was staying.
Did you know that in that same hotel were Frank Rijkaard’s team members, including Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Eto’o, and, of course, Messi?
Also in that hotel was a computer room where Steven Bergwijn’s brother, including himself, would go play games.
The joy of little Steven and his brother knew no bounds when Lionel Messi and his teammates walked into the computer room. Without wasting time, he seized the opportunity and took pictures with the GOAT.
Steven Bergwijn Biography – Early Career Life:
Meeting Lionel Messi was a great source of motivation for the young footballer. As little Steven got older, football drills from his dad became intensified.
The need to progress beyond what his academy (ASC Waterwijk) offered was also on sight.
Thanks to that, Steven Bergwijn’s parents opted for their son to attend trials with Ajax Academy- the prolific Dutch talent factory known for their “total football” approach to football education. Thankfully, he passed their trials with flying colours.
Getting educated in an academy that played “Total Football” was what Steven Bergwijn’s dad wanted for him. Steven also knew that playing at a high-level academy requires greater responsibility.
According to ThePlayersTribune, Steven Bergwijn, while at Ajax Academy, became used to getting up as early as 5:30 a.m.
Back then, his dad would drive him to the club and back from it. Did you know?… While he trained, his dad would sometimes sleep in the car until training hours were over.
Road to Fame Story:
The Ajax Clash:
Steven Bergwijn experienced a hard time managing his relationship with Ajax’s academy management, a feat that saw his stay with the academy ending prematurely in 2011.
Did you know?… Steven Bergwijn had a constant conflict with one of the club’s youth trainers. At the time of writing, there exists little documentation about the conflict. However, one thing was for sure.
Steven Bergwijn’s family was left dissatisfied with the treatment given to their own. This was followed by his parents making the decision for Steven to leave the academy.
Hope by PSV:
Following the less enjoyable time at Ajax, PSV immediately intervened and contracted the young attacker. Thankfully, it then became possible for Steven to enjoy the game of football again.
The youngster immediately flourished after his move to PSV. Steven worked his way up the Eindhoven academy, moving up the academy ranks very quickly.
At PSV, he developed into a player that could play on any kind of attacking position, one who was enjoyable to watch and with a heartwarming personality. Steven Bergwijn’s family was overjoyed when he was called to represent the Netherlands’ U17 youth team in 2013.
Steven Bergwijn Biography – Rise to Fame Story:
Steven Bergwijn’s first taste of footballing success came at the 2014 UEFA U17 championship, which was held in Malta.
This call-up was well-deserved and confirmed that he was on the path to becoming a very successful footballer.
Did you know that in that tournament, Steven Bergwijn won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Golden Player award and was named to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament?
After achieving tremendous success in the country’s national colours, Bergwijn got cleared to make his professional club debut with Jong PSV which is the reserve team of PSV Eindhoven.
At the time of his debut with the PSV senior team, Steven Bergwijn’s family had to make the drive again, this time to witness one of their very own making history against their hometown club. Speaking about his first day as a professional footballer, he once said;
“In October 2014, I was on the bench in my hometown of Almere for PSV’s cup match against Almere City. I wasn’t sure if I’d play, but I knew there was a chance.
Our team started strong, and by the 75th minute, we were up 3–1. In the second half, I kept trying to catch my manager Phillip Cocu’s eye, silently urging him to put me in.
After we scored a fourth goal, the coach looked at me and said, ‘Go warm up.’ Five minutes later, I was on the field, playing for PSV at a stadium just minutes from my old home, with my whole family watching in the stands.
With one of my first touches, I got the ball, turned, and saw Gini Wijnaldum making a run toward the goal. I gave him an assist on my debut, which ended 5-1. It was perfect!”
Since his debut, Steven has been dependable for goals and assists. His exceptional speed, superb technique, and ability to read the game make him a unique player.
As a reward for his hard work, on January 29, 2020, Jose Mourinho offered Bergwijn a five-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who is Chloe Jay?
As Steven Bergwijn rises to fame and establishes himself in football, many English fans are curious about his personal life—whether he has a girlfriend or perhaps even a wife.
Behind the successful footballer is his current girlfriend, Chloe Jay, adding a glamorous touch to his life.
Steven began dating his girlfriend in the year 2015, which is a year after his professional debut for the PSV senior team.
Below is a photo of both love birds as they pose for an emotional snap with their pet dog. Did you know?… Chloe Jay is a year younger than Steven.
Steven Bergwijn and his girlfriend Chloe Jay play alongside their dog.
From what we’ve gathered from research, the girlfriend of Steven Bergwijn is multi-talented.
More about Chloe Jay:
Chloe Jay is a talented dancer, model, and influencer with a strong following on her social media accounts. Known for her natural beauty and confident presence, she captivates her audience with every snapshot.
Meet Steven Bergwijn’s Girlfriend- Chloe Jay.
Again, Chloe Jay is a selfless person who does nothing more than provide emotional support for her boyfriend.
Judging by their numerous social media snaps, it is obvious that Steven Bergwijn’s parents have their relationship approved. This, by implication, means a wedding could be their next formal step.
Steven Bergwijn Lifestyle:
Earning £11,000 in weekly wages and a substantial £572,000 annual salary, along with improved wages at Ajax, affords Steven Bergwijn a luxurious lifestyle that meets the basic needs of himself, family, and friends.
In essence, Steven Bergwijn balances between enjoying the benefits of wealth and maintaining a grounded lifestyle, evident in his nice collection of luxury cars and what looks like an average bike. The photo below encapsulates Steven Bergwijn’s lifestyle.
Steven Bergwijn’s Lifestyle- His love for cars and bikes is out of this world.
Personal Life:
Peharbs, you must have asked; Who is Steven Bergwijn? What personality does he have off the pitch?… Now getting to know Steven Bergwijn’s personal life facts will help you get a complete picture of him.
Starting off, he is a footballer who represents two or more different personalities, in which you’ll never be sure which one you will face.
He can appear to look very humble (eg seeing him riding a bike or doing a menial job), or being flamboyant (seeing with his clean Mercedes-Benz cars). Both can be seen in his lifestyle photo above.
Regarding Steven Bergwijn’s personal life, he is known for his jovial nature, always ready to have fun, with a tendency not to take things too seriously. He is thoughtful and can be restless at times.
Away from football, Steven also lives a refreshingly cool life in his home, whose sitting room is big enough to size the entire Tottenham team.
Getting to know Steven Bergwijn’s Personal Life off the pitch.
Steven Bergwijn Family Life:
Steven comes from a social family and loves to spend time with them. His dad, mum, brother, and sister have all made sacrifices in their own ways to see him become successful.
In this section, we’ll provide you with more information about Steven Bergwijn’s family members, beginning with his parents, whom he honours by placing a Suriname flag on one of his boots.
Having the Suriname Flag on one of his boots shows how much the Dutch footballer honours his parents.
About Steven Bergwijn’s Dad:
Steve Bergwijn affectionately describes his father, Jurgen Berwijn Sr., as someone who understands his game better than anyone else and also as his biggest fan and closest friend. As seen in various instances, Jurgen Berwijn Sr. enjoys spending quality time with his boys both on and off the field.
Steven Bergwijn Family Life- Pictured is him together with his father and brother.
About Steven Bergwijn’s Mother:
Great mothers have often raised great sons, and Steven Bergwijn’s mother is no exception. As a dedicated mother, her goal is to see her son happy and successful, a goal he has already achieved. While little is known about her name, she seems to be someone who deliberately avoids the spotlight on her private life.
About Steven Bergwijn’s Siblings:
Steven has a brother and sister, both of who are willing to give in their best to help him adapt to England. Below is a photo of his lovely lookalike sister and brother as they witnessed his Tottenham signing.
Meet Steven Bergwijn’s Sister.
Steven Bergwijn Facts:
This section of his Biography unveils more information about the Dutch winger. Without further ado, let’s begin.
About Steven Bergwijn’s Tattoo:
Tattoo culture has been wholeheartedly accepted by Steve Bergwijn’s parents – notably his dad, who has lots of body inks.
The love for love body art now transcends to him as he has used inks to portray his religion, things, and people he holds dear to his heart.
Steven Bergwijn Tattoo Facts.
As observed above and below, Steven Bergwijn is a tattoo aficionado. The footballer takes his work and his tattoos seriously.
His inks involve a collection of portraits of birds on his chest and lots of other cool stuff that runs all the way from his neck and goes down to his lower torso and legs.
Steven Bergwijn’s Tattoos- What do they mean
Respect for His Parent’s place of birth:
Steven Bergwijn’s parents are proud of their son’s heavy respect for the South American country- Suriname, which is their place of birth. According to Steven via ThePlayersTribune;
“I put the Suriname flag on one of my boots because both my parents were born there. Their Surinamese culture is a big part of my life.”
Steven Bergwijn wants everyone to know his Suriname family lineage. And he sees showcasing the country’s flag on his boot as the best way to achieve such publicity.
Dutch Footballers you never knew are from Surinamese:
You might not know that many notable footballers, both current and retired, have roots in Suriname. These include Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Georginio Wijnaldum, Virgil van Dijk, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Ryan Babel. These big names of Surinamese descent are highly respected in the football world.
It’s no surprise that Steven Bergwijn’s family loved traveling to Spain to watch FC Barcelona, especially when it was coached by their fellow Surinamese, Frank Rijkaard.
Steven Bergwijn’s Religion:
Steven Bergwijn’s parents are from Suriname, a country with a significant Roman Catholic Christian population. According to Taddlr, Steven follows the Christian faith and believes in God.
FIFA Potential:
At 21, Steven Bergwijn’s FIFA ratings surely place him, alongside notables like Joshua Zirkzee and Wout Weghorst as good footballers with great promise. Having a FIFA potential rating of 87 surely makes him a sure buy for FIFA career lovers. Especially those who are in search of someone with good attacking, skill, great movement and power attributes.
Steven Bergwijn FIFA Ratings and Potential. His biggest strengths are his balance, sprint speed and acceleration.
Fact Check:
Thank you for reading our take on Steven Bergwijn’s biography. We aim to provide accurate and fair Dutch football stories. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know by commenting below. We appreciate and respect your feedback.
