Youri Marion A. Tielemans, a talented Belgian midfielder, showcases his skills as a professional player for Leicester City in the Premier League and the Belgium national team. Widely recognized as Youri Tielemans, he joined Leicester City in 2019 and has made notable appearances representing Belgium. Starting his journey in youth football at Anderlecht Sports Club in Anderlecht, Brussels, Tielemans achieved a significant milestone on 2nd October 2013, becoming the youngest Belgian player to participate in the UEFA Champions League at the age of 16. His jersey number is 8. He contributed to Belgium's third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and also played a role in UEFA Euro 2020. With an impressive social media following, Tielemans has amassed over 525K followers on his Instagram account, earning a loyal fanbase. On 10 June 2023, Aston Villa, a Premier League club, announced that they had secured Tielemans' signing on a free transfer, as his Leicester City contract expires on 1 July.
Youri Tielemans' early life
Youri Tielemans was born in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium, marking the beginning of his life's journey on 7th May 1997. He was bestowed with the real name Youri Marion A. Tielemans and was raised in a devout Christian religious family. Holding Belgian nationality, he hails from a diverse ethnic background, with his father being of Flemish descent and his mother of Congolese descent. In 2023, Tielemans celebrated his 26th birthday, aligning with the zodiac sign of Taurus. With regard to his racial identity, he identifies as black. Although he has not disclosed the names of his parents and academic qualifications.
Youri Tielemans football career
Anderlecht
- Youri Tielemans embarked on his professional career by signing his first contract with Anderlecht at the age of 16. On 21 July 2013, he was included in the senior squad for the first time and although he didn't play, he was present as an unused substitute in their 1-0 victory over Genk in the 2013 Belgian Super Cup.
- It wasn't long until Tielemans made his debut on 28 July 2013 in the opening round of the Belgian Pro League season against Lokeren. He entered the match after 25 minutes, replacing Sacha Kljestan who had suffered an injury, during a disappointing 2-3 home loss. This notable achievement made him the fourth-youngest player in the league's history.
- He continued to make history on 2 October 2013 when he became the youngest Belgian player to feature in a UEFA Champions League game. At the tender age of 16 years and 148 days, he started in a match against Olympiacos.
- His impressive performances didn't go unnoticed as he contributed 13 goals in 37 appearances for Anderlecht during their successful 2016-2017 Belgian First Division A campaign. Tielemans' outstanding form earned him the prestigious 2017 Ebony Shoe Award, recognizing him as the best player of African origin, and he was also honored as the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year for the 2016-2017 season.
- Additionally, he excelled in the UEFA Europa League, scoring 5 goals in 15 matches during the 2016-17 season, helping his team reach the quarter-finals. His remarkable performances in the competition earned him a well-deserved spot in the Squad of the Season.
Monaco
- Youri Tielemans joined Monaco, the reigning champions of the 2016-2017 Ligue 1 season, on a five-year contract worth approximately €25 million on 24 May 2017. His competitive debut for the club took place on 29 July in the Trophee des Champions at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
- He showcased his skills by playing the entire 90 minutes and providing an assist for Djibril Sidibe's opening goal, despite Monaco's 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
- Subsequently, on 4 August, he made his Ligue 1 debut in a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Toulouse. He entered the match as a substitute for Radamel Falcao in the 87th minute.
- A significant moment arrived for Tielemans on 13 September when he made his debut in a UEFA club competition for Monaco in an away group match against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. Demonstrating his ability, Tielemans played the full 90 minutes and scored his first competitive goal for Monaco, securing a 1-1 draw.
- Continuing to establish himself, he earned his first start in Ligue 1 on 16 September, playing the entire game in a convincing 3-0 home triumph over Strasbourg.
- This opportunity came after he had accumulated a total of 56 minutes as a substitute in his first four Ligue 1 appearances. It took until his 31st game in Ligue 1, on 2 September 2018, for Tielemans to score his inaugural goal in the league, unfortunately during a 3-2 home defeat against Marseille.
Leicester City
- Youri made a loan move to Leicester City, a Premier League club on 31 January 2019, until the end of the season. The deal involved Adrien Silva going the opposite way in a swap agreement. During his loan spell, Tielemans made an impact on 9 March by scoring his first goal for Leicester City in a 3-1 victory over Fulham.
- The move became permanent for Tielemans on 8 July 2019, as he completed a four-year deal with Leicester City. The transfer was estimated to be around £32 million. he continued to showcase his skills and found the back of the net in a 3-1 home triumph over Bournemouth on 31 August.
- A significant moment in Tielemans' career came on 15 May 2021 when he scored the decisive goal in the 2021 FA Cup Final against Chelsea. With an impressive long-range strike in the 63rd minute, he secured Leicester's first-ever FA Cup title. His remarkable performance earned him the recognition of being named the man of the match.
Aston Villa
- Premier League club Aston Villa made an exciting announcement on 10 June 2023. They revealed that they had successfully reached an agreement to acquire Tielemans, who would be joining the team on a free transfer. This thrilling development came as Tielemans' contract with Leicester City was set to conclude on 1 July, opening the door for his new chapter at Aston Villa.
International career
- Youri Tielemans received a call-up to join the senior Belgium squad for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Wales in June 2015. However, it wasn't until 9 November 2016 that he finally made his debut for the national team. This occurred during a friendly match against rival Netherlands, where he entered the field in the 82nd minute, replacing Steven Defour in a 1-1 draw.
- Impressing with his skills and potential, Tielemans earned a place in manager Roberto Martínez's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia. Throughout the tournament, he featured in four matches, including the third-place match against England, which Belgium won with a score of 2-0.
- He achieved another milestone in his international career on 21 March 2019, scoring his first goal for the senior Belgium team in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match against Russia. His performance caught the attention of the selectors, and he was subsequently called up for the delayed final tournament, originally scheduled for 2020 but rescheduled to May 2021.
Awards and Achievements
Anderlecht
- Belgian Pro League/First Division A: 2013-2014, 2016-2017
- Belgian Super Cup: 2013, 2014
Leicester City
- FA Cup: 2020-2021
- FA Community Shield: 2021
Belgium
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018
Individual
- Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year: 2013-2014, 2014-2015
- Belgian Talent of the Year: 2014
- Best Youngster of the Belgian Pro League: 2014, 2015
- Goal.com NxGn: 2016
- Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year: 2016-2017
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2016-2017
- Ebony Shoe: 2017
- Belgian Silver Shoe: 2017
- Leicester City Player of the Season: 2020-2021
- Leicester City Players' Player of the Season: 2020-2021
Transfer News
- Aston Villa on 1st July 2023 for free
- Leicester City on 8th July 2019 at 45m euros
- AS Monaco on 30th June 2019 at the end of the loan
- Leicester City on 31st January 2019 at Laon
- AS Monaco on 1st July 2017 at 25m euros
Youri Tielemans family life: Wife and daughter
Youri Tielemans has embraced the joy of married life. He united in matrimony with his beloved wife, Mendy Tielemans, and together they have been blessed with the precious presence of their two daughters, Melina and Leana. Currently, their family finds its home in the charming Leicestershire village of Quorn. The bond between Youri and Mendy is a source of inspiration, and it is hoped that their love and connection will continue to flourish in the days to come. As for Youri's sexual orientation, he identifies as heterosexual.
Youri Tielemans' net worth and salary
Youri Tielemans has solidified his own unique identity, showcasing his exceptional talent and unwavering ambition. Continuously striving to surpass his own goals, he relentlessly dedicates himself to his craft. With an impressive net worth of $13 million as of 2023, Tielemans has achieved financial success through his flourishing football career. Earning an annual salary of approximately £6,240,000, he is handsomely rewarded for his dedication and skill. Additionally, Tielemans has garnered recognition from various brands, engaging in endorsement work that further enhances his financial standing. Ultimately, Tielemans finds great contentment and fulfillment in his chosen profession, as football remains his primary source of income.
Youri Tielemans measurements
Youri Tielemans possesses a well-proportioned physique standing at a height of 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) and with a weight of approximately 72 kg. Complementing his athletic build, Tielemans sports short, lustrous dark brown hair that adds to his distinctive appearance. His eyes, matching his hair color, further contribute to his captivating charm.
