Ryan Miguel Guno Babel (born 19 December 1986 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch professional footballer and rapper who currently plays for Liverpool. He is right footed and plays as a winger, but can also play as a striker. Babel began his career at AFC Ajax in 1998, working his way up through the youth team and into the senior squad. He played three seasons for the first team before he was transferred to Liverpool in mid-2007. He has been part of the Netherlands national
football team since 2005 and has represented his country at all youth team levels.

[edit] Ajax

In 1997, Babel attended a youth selection day with AFC Ajax. He made it through the first selection round, but failed to progress any further.[2] However, the next year Ajax did take him on and he played the 1998–99 season for their D1 team.[2] After having also passed through the C1, B1 and A1 teams, Babel signed his first professional contract in January 2004.

On 1 February 2004, just one and a half months after his 17th birthday, Ajax coach Ronald Koeman gave Babel his first team debut in Ajax`s 4–0 home win over ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie. Ajax went on to win the Dutch league title, but Babel didn`t feature again that season. Nine months later, on 20 November 2004 Babel scored his first senior goal against De Graafschap in a 5–0 victory.

In July 2005, Babel signed a new contract with Ajax. He started the new season by scoring the winning goal in Ajax`s 2–1 defeat of PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup. Babel scored in both legs of the Champions League third qualifying round against Brψndby as Ajax made it to the group stage. 2005–06 was a tougher season for Babel in general though as he managed only two league goals. He did however continue to feature for the national team, and scored his second goal against Italy in November. At the end of the season, Babel came on as a second-half substitute in Ajax`s 2–1 victory over PSV in the Dutch Cup final.

Babel marked the start of 2006–07 with another Dutch Super Cup winners medal, as Ajax defeated PSV 3–1. Babel was linked with Arsenal and Newcastle United during the January transfer window of the 2006-07 season but no move materialised.[5][6] Amidst the transfer speculation, Babel agreed to a new three-year deal with Ajax on 2 February 2007.[3][7] In May, Babel got another Dutch Cup winners medal as Ajax successfully defended the title. The match against AZ went to a penalty shoot-out, but Babel was substituted off after 120 minutes

On 10 July 2007 it was reported that Liverpool F.C. had made a £14 million offer to the Amsterdam club.[9] On 12 July it was reported that Liverpool and Ajax had agreed a fee in the region of £11.5 million, and later Liverpool confirmed that Babel would sign a five year contract on 13 July.[10] He was unveiled on 13 July with Yossi Benayoun. Babel was handed the number 19 shirt. He made his debut on 17 July against Werder Bremen in a friendly. He was due to play in the first round of the Barclays Asia Trophy 2007 but for a delay in the granting of international clearance. This was sorted out in time for the final against Portsmouth.[11]

He made his Premiership debut in the 2007–08 Premiership curtain raiser against Aston Villa away after coming on off the bench. A week later and he made his Anfield debut, coming off the bench against Chelsea. On 1 September Babel scored his first goal for Liverpool against Derby County. Babel scored his first Champion