Manchester United star facing divorce over 'spiritual matters'

De Ligt's marriage is at risk as his wife AnneKee becomes deeply involved in a “spiritual journey,” causing irreconcilable conflicts with the Manchester United defender.

Central defender Matthijs de Ligt is going through a tough period not only on the pitch but also in his personal life. According to Dutch media, the marriage between the Manchester United player and model AnneKee Molenaar, married in June 2024, is on the verge of collapse due to lifestyle differences.

Recently, AnneKee has been passionately pursuing spirituality, frequently posting on social media about crystals, tarot cards, and empowering affirmations. She even launched her own brand called Annie’s Alchemia which offers products and services centered around a “healing journey.”

AnneKee recently shared her experience participating in a “cacao ceremony,” a spiritual practice believed to nurture the soul. These activities were seen as “excessive” and have been cited as a cause of the marital strain.

Sources from DenD confirm the couple has separated. De Ligt was spotted vacationing alone in Barbados and Ibiza, while AnneKee has not appeared in any of his posts for the past two months. Even their plan to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in Italy last summer was canceled, reinforcing the view that their marriage may be beyond repair.

De Ligt and AnneKee have been together since his Ajax days. She has supported him through his moves to Juventus, Bayern Munich, and now Manchester United. However, growing differences in their outlooks—especially as De Ligt focuses on his football career and AnneKee delves deeper into spirituality—make the breakup almost inevitable.

While facing turmoil in his personal life, De Ligt’s performance at Manchester United has also been underwhelming. After a turbulent first season, the Dutch defender continues to struggle in the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign. This represents a significant challenge for a player once expected to lead the “Red Devils” defense.