Playing Football Became A Golden Tree For Ainsley Cory An Inspiration To Nigerian Youths
Ainsley Cory Maitland-Niles was born on the 29th day of August 1997 to his mother, Jule Niles and his father Maitland-Niles in the town of Goodmayes, Ilford, United Kingdom. Ainsley was born into a black British family whose origin can be traced from either Africa or the Carribean.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles grew up with his older brother named Cordi Fletcher. The two look-alike brothers are so close to one another and currently, live together in the apartment as at the time of writing.
Early on, playing football became a golden tree for Ainsley, a sport where he found shade away from the troubling realities of being raised by a single mother. While young Ainsley took to football, his elder brother Cordi chose to become a charity worker. Jule Niles saw her youngest son could do a lot with the ball and decided she would take him to attend trials with Arsenal’s academy.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles passion for soccer saw him passing Arsenal trials and subsequently enrolling into the academy.
Life into Arsenal’s academy wasn’t fun, one in which Ainsley Maitland-Niles had to make a lot of sacrifices as he dedicated his whole time to the club. Having a steely determination to make his career dreams of becoming a reality saw Ainsley progressing through the academy’s age ranks. According to Jule his mum, the Arsenal youth coach testified that her son was the best among his age group and one of the best he had seen.
As Ainsley Maitland-Niles approached his teenage years, it became clear to his family that he would make it being professional. However, Maitland-Niles family had challenges with football authorities.
Precisely in March 2015, Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ mother Jule had a bust-up with Arsenal’s chief negotiator, Dick Law during a meeting to discuss her son’s future with the club.
On 9 December 2014, Maitland-Niles made his professional debut at the age of 17 years and 102 days in a UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray. In doing so, he became the second-youngest player ever to represent Arsenal in the Champions League, behind Jack Wilshere.
Maitland-Niles after his champions league and premier league debut paid tribute to God and his mum. In an interview on Arsenal’s website. He once said: “I want to thank my family and God mostly for putting me here.” Asked what he would do with his match shirt, he said: “I think I’ll frame it and give it to my mum.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles got the fame he deserved when he represented England and him together with his teammates notable, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Solanke won the U20 youth World Cup.
The Gunners’ later coach Unai Emery also showed confidence and trust in the young English player by including him among starters in his first squad. The rest, as they say, is history.
Getting to know Ainsley Maitland-Niles personal life would help you get a complete picture of him. Starting, he is someone who loves to pay attention to the smallest details whether on the pitch or off-pitch. As observed from his “spin the wheel challenge” with Rob Holding, Maitland-Niles has a very calm personality and his deep sense of logical reasoning.
Maitland-Niles has a methodical approach to life which ensures that nothing is left to chance. Although there is a part of him which has a limit he can withstand pressure. This as observed was in the case of between him and his mum.
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