Tolu Arokodare on Wout Weghorst: Ajax striker reveals friendship ahead of Eredivisie clash
Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare has opened up about his friendship with Wout Weghorst, describing the Dutch forward as a source of advice and inspiration ahead of their meeting at the Grolsch Veste this Sunday. The two players have known each other for several years, but their relationship began with a simple question about one of Weghorst’s most recognisable qualities: his relentless energy on the pitch.
The upcoming fixture brings the pair together as opponents, with Arokodare representing Ajax and Weghorst leading the attack for their Eredivisie rivals. While the match will carry important implications for both sides, the personal connection between the forwards adds an intriguing subplot to a game likely to attract plenty of attention from Dutch football supporters.
A friendship that started after a friendly
Arokodare and Weghorst first met in July 2023, when Belgian club KRC Genk faced Burnley in a pre-season friendly. Genk won 2-0, with Arokodare finding the net. After the match, rather than heading straight away, the young striker spotted Weghorst in the gym and decided to approach him.
Arokodare had watched Weghorst play on several occasions and was curious about the intensity he brought to his game. In particular, he wanted to understand how the forward managed to press opponents with such determination throughout a match.
“I’d seen him play several times before and wondered where he gets the energy to keep pressing,” Arokodare told ESPN.
Weghorst’s answer was straightforward: mentality, he said, was central to his approach. He also told Arokodare that his competitive drive had been part of him since childhood, while emphasising that a player can develop that mindset through work and discipline.
For Arokodare, the exchange became the beginning of a lasting connection. The players have stayed in contact, follow one another on Instagram and have continued to share advice and encouragement as their careers have progressed.
Weghorst offered support before Ajax move
The relationship proved especially useful when Arokodare was preparing to join Ajax. Before making the move to Amsterdam, he sent Weghorst a message to ask about the club and what he could expect. According to Arokodare, the experienced Netherlands international had positive things to say.
That endorsement carries particular weight because Weghorst knows what it means to play for Ajax and to handle the expectations that come with wearing the club’s shirt. His perspective offered Arokodare a personal introduction to the environment, beyond what a player might learn from coaches, teammates or public reports.
Arokodare is currently on loan at Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Amsterdam club holding an option to make the transfer permanent for €20 million. The arrangement gives Ajax time to assess how the forward fits into the squad, while giving Arokodare the opportunity to establish himself in one of the Netherlands’ most closely watched football teams.
His performance in the coming weeks could therefore matter both on the pitch and in discussions about his future. A strong run of form would strengthen his case to stay in Amsterdam, although the club’s decision is likely to depend on more than goals alone, including his contribution to the team’s pressing, link-up play and overall attacking balance.
A friendly rivalry before Sunday’s match
Despite their friendship, Arokodare will be hoping to outscore Weghorst when the teams meet at the Grolsch Veste. The Ajax striker spoke warmly about his friend but also joked that Weghorst can be difficult to keep up with when he finds the net.
“I hope he keeps scoring, but he does need to ease off a bit. Some of us want to score too. He just scores four!” Arokodare said.
The remark reflects the respect between the two forwards while adding a light-hearted edge to the build-up. Weghorst is known for his physical presence, tireless work rate and willingness to lead the press, qualities that have made him a prominent figure in Dutch football. Arokodare, meanwhile, brings height and strength of his own, along with the ambition to turn his Ajax loan into a successful long-term opportunity.
What to watch in the Eredivisie encounter
Sunday’s meeting offers an interesting tactical contest as well as a personal reunion. Both strikers can influence a game without the ball: their ability to close down defenders, challenge for aerial passes and create space for teammates may be just as important as their finishing. Arokodare’s original question to Weghorst is particularly relevant here, given that pressing intensity can shape how quickly a team wins possession and launches an attack.
For Ajax, a productive performance from Arokodare could help the side build momentum and provide further evidence of his value during the loan spell. For Weghorst’s team, his movement and pressure could test Ajax’s defenders and disrupt their attempts to play out from the back. The duel between the forwards may not decide the result on its own, but it is one of the match’s most compelling individual storylines.
Prediction: a competitive contest with chances for both strikers
Any football prediction ahead of the fixture should account for the strengths of both sides and the unpredictable nature of a meeting between Eredivisie opponents. Arokodare and Weghorst each have the physical tools to trouble defenders, and their work rate could create opportunities even if the match becomes tight. The most likely scenario is a competitive encounter in which the forwards have chances to make an impact, though the final result will depend on which team makes better use of its possession and defensive transitions.
Whatever happens at the Grolsch Veste, the match will mark another chapter in a friendship that began with a conversation about mentality. Arokodare may now be looking to learn from Weghorst from a distance rather than as a fellow player in a friendly, but on Sunday, both will be focused on helping their teams secure the result.
