Matteo Waem, who is of Belgian and Italian parentage, grew up in Merksem, a suburb of Antwerp.[3] He took his first steps in football at the age of five at Seja, a regional football club.[4] At the age of six he joined the Royal Antwerp academy, where he played until 2020.[4] During this period, he also had a short stint at Westerlo for a year before resuming his career at Antwerp. During the 2019–20 season, he was on a trial practice at English EFL Championship club Birmingham City[5] and succeeded in convincing them to a transfer.[6] Due to external factors, however, the deal fell through.[4]
MVV
In June 2020, Waem signed with Dutch Eerste Divisie club MVV.[7] He made his professional debut on 5 September 2020 in a 7–1 home loss to Cambuur, replacing Koen Kostons in the 84th minute.[8]
Waem was appointed team captain of MVV ahead of the 2022–23 season.[9] He scored his first professional goal on 5 February 2023, opening the score in the derby against Roda JC, which MVV lost 2–1.[10]
ADO Den Haag
On 13 July 2023, ADO Den Haag announced the signing of Waem on a three-year contract.[3]
Personal life
Waem has described his younger brother Andreas as his main inspiration.[4] His brother has autism, something Waem has mentioned as the reason for him studying psychology next to his career as a professional footballer.[9]