Mid‑2027 deal and €3m value spark Ajax fans' Zidane hopes for Wijndal

Owen Wijndal, the 26‑year‑old left‑back, is tied to Ajax until mid‑2027 and valued at roughly €3 million. Under new head coach Míchel, his training‑match performance against Panathinaikos produced a viral moment on X. Fans instantly likened the elegant play to a Zidane‑style flourish. In the intra‑squad friendly, Wijndal started for Ajax, a decision that surprised many supporters. The surprise stemmed from his recent peripheral role and previous loan spells. During the drill, he executed a graceful move that shifted the ball and left his opponent helpless. Clips of the action were rapidly shared across social platforms, sparking widespread discussion.

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An Ajax fan posted on X: “Just two weeks under trainer Míchel and he makes Wijndal a prime Zinédine Zidane.” The comment highlighted the perceived transformation under the new manager. Wijndal arrived from AZ and endured a turbulent period in Amsterdam, including a loan to Royal Antwerp FC. Those years were marked by transfer speculation and short‑term arrangements. Now back in the Ajax squad, he appears to have earned a fresh opportunity to prove himself under Míchel’s guidance. Whether the viral episode signals a genuine revival will become clearer in the coming weeks.