Eredivisie

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The familiar tune of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" has been used at Johan Cruijff ArenA for Ajax games since 2008. 

Now, the origin of the classic song serving as a rallying cry for the club has been revealed in a B/R Football video. 

Even though Marley's legendary song has become a staple at sporting events around the world—notably with the 2013 Boston Red Sox during their run to the World Series—more than 50,000 fans singing in unison at Johan Cruijff ArenA is a one-of-a-kind experience.

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This is the story of how AFC Ajax found their song.

Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" has become part of the club's traditions, but it began in Jamaica and travelled through Wales and England before it was cemented into Ajax folklore for good when Bob's son Ky-Mani Marley sang it with the fans in the stadium.

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has overcome the injury scare he suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Heracles on Saturday and will be fit to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, says manager Erik ten Hag.

There were concerns over whether Ajax's star anchor would be ready to play in the round-of-16 first leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena after he came off injured in the 79th minute in the Eredivisie matchup against Heracles.      

However, Ten Hag addressed the media on Tuesday and allayed any fears over the Barcelona-bound anchor, via Ajax's official Twitter account:

Per FourFourTwo, Ten Hag said:

"Frenkie is fine, he is happy to play the match. 

"Like all of us, I imagine he will have an extra motivation, but we all have to play a Champions League game against Madrid, who have won three consecutive Champions League titles.

[...]

"Frenkie only wants one thing, which is to close the season well, we have this match with Madrid and he is sure to be 100 per cent motivated to give the best."

Ajax's preparations for Wednesday's matchup haven't been ideal. The Eredivisie outfit have lost two of their last three matches after going undefeated in their previous 23.

Dutch football writer Michael Bell underlined how important De Jong, 21, was to the club's chances prior to Saturday's defeat at Heracles, and the pressure has only been amplified since the loss:

Barcelona announced in January that De Jong had agreed to join them this summer in a £65 million deal, adding an extra hint of spice between the player and his soon-to-be El Clasico rivals.

Alongside centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, De Jong looks like one of the rare talents Ajax have a habit of producing and one who is sure to have a genuine impact against a team as talented as Real.

The Godenzonen will be underdogs to advance despite Real's poor first half of the season, and there would be a noticeable gap in Ajax's spine if De Jong were to miss out at all.

Despite the Dutch club's gumption and their ability to draw twice against Bayern Munich in the group stage, commentator Kevin Hatchard has backed Los Blancos to go through:

Donny van de Beek, 21, and Lasse Schone, 32, have been the other consistent figures in Ajax's midfield this season, but neither has the same impact on the team that De Jong does.

Real coach Santiago Solari is sure to be aware of the Netherlands international, who will be ready to take on the team searching for a fourth successive Champions League crown. 

Matthijs de Ligt says speculation over his future is "making me laugh" as the Netherlands international continues to be linked with a move away from Ajax.

The 19-year-old was asked if he was close to signing a contract with Juventus and said most of the rumours are untrue, per Sport.

"Throughout the year, I've heard rumours and information about me on this topic. You do understand that if I had to come out and deny every rumour, I'd never stop. All I can say is that all these rumours are making me laugh, and the majority of what is written is wrong."

De Ligt has emerged as one of Europe's most promising centre-backs at Ajax. He's been handed the captain's armband despite only turning 19 in August and won Tuttosport's 2018 Golden Boy award, given to Europe's best player under the age of 21:  

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman told Catalunya Radio (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic), the teenager "will be the best centre-back in the world in two years."

Juventus are keen to strengthen defensively in the summer, with De Ligt as a target:

Spanish champions Barcelona have also been linked. Mundo Deportivo have reported that De Ligt wants to move to the Camp Nou:

Barcelona have already snapped up Ajax team-mate Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder will join on a five-year deal at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

PSG were also keen on De Jong and plan to get "revenge" on Barcelona by beating the Catalan giants to De Ligt, per Calciomercato.com.

Ajax are already set to lose one of their top talents in De Jong, and it seems highly likely they will be unable to hold on to De Ligt past this season. The defender looks ready for a move to one of Europe's elite and may have his pick of top clubs.

Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has been backed to become the best centre-back in the world in two years by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.

The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

It seems inevitable he will leave Ajax soon, potentially in the summer.

Koeman, who has made De Ligt a key part of the Dutch national team, told Catalunya Radio he believes he has the potential to be world class (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic):

"De Ligt and [Ajax and Holland team-mate Frenkie] de Jong are special for various reasons. De Ligt is younger, 19, and plays in an important position, as a centre-back. He's the Ajax captain and from their school. That is to say Barca's school, because it means that he has a lot of technical quality and tactical nous. He will be the best centre-back in the world in two years."

The quality of sides connected with the teenager is indicative of his immense talent.

As is the fact that he was recently named winner of the Golden Boy award for the best young player in Europe:

The gong has previously been won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.

De Ligt's maturity is one of his major assets.

It is rare for a player in his position to break through so young, but he is now in his third season as a key part of the Ajax first team and already has 13 senior caps at international level:

Barca look to be leading the race to sign him, and he would be perfect as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique.

The Spaniard has been a stalwart of the Barca back line for over a decade now, but he will be 32 next month and the Blaugrana need to establish a succession plan.

Given the dearth of top-class centre-backs in world football at the moment, though, the Catalan giants will likely face fierce competition for De Ligt's signature.