Ruben Ligeon was twice declared redundant by NAC Breda last season. The defender did not let himself be beaten out of the game, fought his way back, and, out of nowhere, was the hero in the derby against Willem II. The former Ajax player experienced the year full of ups and downs particularly calmly, hardened by his previous experiences. "Disappointments are part of football," Ligeon told SoccerNews.nl.

Interview with Ruben Ligeon
After his contract at NAC was terminated in March, the past few months for Ligeon consisted mainly of waiting. Waiting for the new season and his next step. He kept himself fit by training, spending time with his family, and playing Fortnite with Ryan Koolwijk, Mitchell Schet, Stefano Denswil, and former teammates from abroad. "I had more free time than usual, so that was a fun activity. We don't take gaming that seriously, we mostly joke about the headset." A welcome distraction for the transfer-free defender, who is fed up with the clubless life. "I hope to rejoin a team soon. There is nothing concrete yet, but it is slowly coming along. Several clubs from the Netherlands and abroad have asked what my situation is. I'm going to see what comes my way. I want to enjoy being on the pitch again and playing games."

His departure from NAC was preceded by an eventful period in which Ligeon had to hear several bad news interviews. "At the beginning of the preparation for the season, I was told I could leave. That came in like a bomb because I wasn't expecting it. I looked at my options after that but decided to stay and fight for my chance. I was able to train well and recover from an injury I had sustained in preparation. I knew I would not play much, but still, it was tough. I tried my best at training sessions to show myself. I worked hard and was present by helping the young boys and other substitutes who were struggling. That's how I tried to make my contribution."

The return
His patience was rewarded. In October, Ligeon returned to the squad and in December he suddenly got another chance due to injury at the left-back position. "The coach chose me to fill the gap. I started in the starting line-up against Willem II and was happy to get minutes again. That I scored the equalizer and we won completed the story. During the match, I stayed focused, but on the bus, the realization came that I had scored in the derby after a difficult period. We were met by the supporters at the stadium to celebrate the victory. The whole of Breda was upside down and for a moment I was the hero again. I had faded into the background for a few months, but now I was seen again. That gave me a good feeling."

In the matches that followed, Ligeon was also in the starting line-up. Then, ahead of the transfer window, he requested a meeting with the club management to know where he stood. "Initially, they said I could stay. I filled in well and they could use me well in terms of experience. Two weeks later, it had changed again. I was dropped from the squad and would not get any more minutes. New players were brought in and I had to train separately from the group together with some others. I remained level-headed about it because I was already taking it into account. In football, you have to take everything into account."

Experience
His experience in recent years made it easier for Ligeon to accept having to leave NAC. At a younger age, he would have had a harder time. "When you're young, disappointments hit you harder. Then you linger longer in situations. I had that, for example, when I was on the list to leave at PEC Zwolle and then at De Graafschap, where we got relegated. I found that hard to let go of. Now I come home and feel a little sad, but the next day life goes on. Disappointments are part of football. There is a lot of competition and hard choices are made. You have to learn to deal with that."

At NAC, despite his reserve role, Ligeon was one of the mentors for the younger players. "Both on and off the pitch, I was working with them. I can quickly tell when someone is disappointed. When the going gets tough, you have to switch the knob and work harder. I tried to instill that in the boys. I gave them advice and had conversations with them. Sometimes things don't go the way you want, but even then you have to look at the positive side. I hope they picked up on that. I believe so, but they have to experience it themselves to realize it."

Football lessons
As a young player at Ajax, Ligeon himself received advice from the experienced players in the team. "I looked up to players like André Ooijer, Kenneth Vermeer, and Theo Janssen. If they said something, you didn't have a big mouth back and you did listen. Vermeer has been through a lot and could coach you very briefly and powerfully. With Ooijer, I regularly sat a bit longer. He gave me advice on defending. That you always have to give something extra, go into every duel to win, and not think too easily. I was the type that counted on his speed. I could always correct it, but of course, that could also go wrong. The trainers in youth already pointed that out to me, but I hadn't realized it myself yet. I just wanted to play good football. If a teammate like Ooijer or a trainer like Frank de Boer says it, you accept it quicker. Now I'm 31 myself and the one giving advice. It can go that fast."

Reflecting
Looking back on his career so far, Ligeon realizes he could have played more games. In total, it was almost three hundred, but it included many seasons when he was not on the pitch every week. "I have had some injuries and have often been let out, which made it difficult to secure a permanent place. Nevertheless, I am generally satisfied. I experienced championships at Ajax. Not as a first-eleven player, but as part of the process. I also made nice trips to foreign matches and played in Slovakia. I didn't always play a lot, but I can look at myself straight in the mirror. Of course, I could have done things differently, but you are not always in control."

What could he have done better himself to get to more games? "Maybe I should have been a bit bolder. I am a quiet guy and always lie well in the group, but in football, you also have to stand up for yourself. I only talk when I really have to. Sometimes it's better to reply and force your chance that way. But anyway, that's not in me, so I shouldn't behave like that either. It has never been down to my attitude or attitude. They said the same thing at NAC. I work hard and never give up. Not even now."

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