When Cody Gakpo takes to the pitch for Liverpool, the cameras naturally follow him. But away from the roaring crowds and stadium lights, there’s someone quietly shaping a different kind of story — Noa van der Bij, the woman who’s been by his side long before the Premier League spotlight found him.

Noa may not be a footballer, but her world is every bit as ambitious. Born in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, she studied business management at Avans University of Applied Sciences before stepping into the world of fashion. Rather than chasing the runway spotlight, she found her path behind it — working as a junior booker for Cachet Models, an agency that once collaborated with Gakpo’s former club PSV. It’s a career choice that says much about her character: grounded, capable, and quietly driven.

The couple’s love story reportedly began in 2020, back when Gakpo was still lighting up the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. While fame often invites noise, their relationship has evolved with an understated charm. A handful of shared photos on social media — holidays, dinners, glimpses of everyday life — tell a story of warmth and mutual respect rather than luxury and showmanship. Noa’s online presence mirrors that tone: stylish yet simple, confident yet composed.

When Gakpo completed his high-profile £37 million move to Liverpool in late 2022, it wasn’t just a career leap — it was a new chapter for both. Noa relocated with him, often spotted in the stands at Anfield, quietly cheering as he continues to prove himself in English football. Her steady presence, fans say, brings a sense of calm to the forward’s new life in one of the world’s most intense leagues.

Not long after settling in Liverpool life, the pair welcomed their first child. In April 2024, Cody Gakpo and Noa van der Bij became parents to their son, Samuel Seth Gakpo — a milestone that appears to have deepened their bond both in private life and public view. While they remain discreet about many personal details, their shared joy over their newborn highlights another layer of their partnership: responsibility, growth, and the quiet rewards of family off the pitch.

But Noa isn’t just a supporter in the background. She’s built her own rhythm — balancing her professional goals while navigating life beside one of the Premier League’s rising stars. Her growing Instagram following reflects that balance: snapshots of travel, work, and personal style without ever feeling curated for attention.

Together, Gakpo and Noa form a partnership that feels refreshingly real. There’s no forced glamour, no overexposure — just two young people growing through ambition, loyalty, and shared experience. In a world where football love stories can feel like PR headlines, theirs feels more like a slow-burning novel: steady, authentic, and quietly powerful.

Noa van der Bij may have stepped into the public eye through her relationship with a footballer, but she stands firmly in her own light. Smart, independent, and grounded, she’s not simply the girlfriend of a footballer — she’s a woman building her own success story while walking beside one of football’s most promising talents.