Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDuring his 18-year career, Toby Alderweireld would clock up more than 600 appearances, winning league titles in three countries and racking up 127 appearances for the Belgium national side.But everyone has to start somewhere, and for Alderweireld it was something of a baptism of fire when he was handed a brutal introduction to the professional game.The centre-back had come through Ajax's famed academy and was used to mixing with the best players in his age group, but that did little to prepare him for the test of going up against two of his generation's best and most physical strikers in his first senior match.Alderweireld on face Adriano and IbrahimovicThe future Spurs man's first taste of the men's game came in a pre-season match against Inter Milan, who featured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano in attack, with both strikers at the peak of their powers.Alderweireld learned a valuable lesson that day - even if his first reaction was to wonder whether he would be able to mix it at the highest level. You may like Toby Alderweireld on Tottenham Hotspurs incredible Champions League semi-final win in 2019 Dimitar Berbatov opens up on his career as a cult hero I worked as a hairdresser before joining Gillingham it was clattering Steve Bruce that earned me the contract How Tony Cascarino earned his big break in football My first game for Ajax, in the pre-season Amsterdam Tournament," the Belgian tells FourFourTwo."There were two games in two days our first team played against Arsenal, then our second team played against Inter," with the teenage defender being given the opportunity to impress against the Italian side.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."I was young and played at centre-back against big guys, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano."At that time, Ibrahimovic was in his pomp, combining physicality and a 6ft 5in frame with technical brilliance, while Adriano was renowned for his explosive power and fearsome left foot. It soon became clear that a test like this was nothing his time in the Ajax academy could prepare him for.Alderweireld initially attempted to take this levelling up in his stride, but was soon handed a reality check. What to read next How Michail Antonio's mother influenced his early football career by rejecting a Spurs offer Scottish football club sporting director has had arguably the maddest career in history Exclusive: Michail Antonio reflects on how a poor performance delayed his international career "I thought OK, this is professional football, this is a different level," he continues. "After 20 minutes, I was like This is not for me, but sometimes you need to have your head against the wall to become better."It gave me a lot of insight I thought I need to get stronger. I played a good game and it wasnt like we lost 5-0, but physically against those two in their prime, it was a good reality check.And while the young Alderweireld endured a testing afternoon, those first 20 minutes would prove to be vital in helping him become the defender he wanted to be.Alderweireld was speaking in association with BOYLE Sports 2 Goals AheadTOPICSAjaxInter MilanChampions LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
