Cody Gakpo was born on 7 May 1999 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and came through the renowned PSV academy from the age of eight. After progressing steadily through the youth ranks and the reserve side Jong PSV, he made his first-team debut for PSV in February 2018. He established himself as one of the Eredivisie's standout attackers over the following seasons, culminating in the 2021–22 campaign when he scored 21 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year. That season he also scored the winning goal in PSV's 2–1 KNVB Cup final victory over Ajax.
In January 2023, Gakpo signed for Liverpool on a reported five-and-a-half-year deal for a fee in the region of £35–44 million. He has since become a regular contributor at Anfield, winning the EFL Cup in 2023–24 and the Premier League title in 2024–25, with Liverpool securing that title following his goal in a 5–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
A left winger by trade who is capable of operating as a centre-forward, Gakpo typically cuts inside from the left on his stronger right foot to create shooting opportunities. Liverpool continue to use him across multiple attacking positions depending on team needs.
Gakpo made his senior international debut for the Netherlands at UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup he scored in three consecutive group-stage matches. He has earned over 50 senior caps and shared the UEFA Euro 2024 Golden Boot after finishing as joint top scorer with three goals.