Cody Gakpo | Bentley Ambassador

Cody Gakpo exiting the cabin of his Bentayga S Black Edition with a Beluga interior and Mandarin accents

Cody Gakpo adjusting his suit sleave has he prepares for a day at the Bentley Motors factory in Crewe

Cody Gakpo stood beside a table outside a Bentley residence with friends nearby

Family Origins

Parental guidance

A personal gift

The close family

"It started with my Dad. He’s always loved Bentley," reminisces Gakpo. "When I was younger, he’d point them out. He used to talk about craftsmanship, the way they mix performance with class.

"I was around 12 when I really started noticing them myself. It wasn’t just about the car; it was more the feeling behind it. My dad’s passion for the brand made me want one too. It became a bit of a dream for both of us."

Gakpo, his two brothers and parents remain exceptionally close. His father had played football for his own home country Togo. His mother, now a teacher, was in Holland's rugby

When his career took off, Gakpo found a way to return the inspiration and guidance his father had given him through a gesture that meant more than words could express.

"With my brothers I gave my dad a Bentley Bentayga First Edition as a present about two years ago. It’s his dream car, something he’s wanted since he was young."

The moment was unforgettable. "It was a really emotional moment when he realised the car was his; seeing him so happy made it really special for me too."

Family remains at the centre of Gakpo’s world. Even now, post-match reflections with his father are common, driven by their shared standards and values.

"My dad’s always been passionate about doing things the right way, with discipline and respect. He’s the one who taught me that if you want to achieve something, you have to stay focused and never cut corners.

"My mum’s the heart of the family, always encouraging, always reminding me to stay grounded and thankful, no matter what’s happening on the pitch.

"My parents always supported me in football but also made sure I understood what really matters, staying humble, working hard, and keeping faith at the centre of it all."

Cody Gakpo stood beside his Bentayga S Black Edition in Antracite Satin with Mandarin accents

Cody Gakpo sat inside his Bentayga S Black Edition with a Beluga interior and Mandarin accents

Cody Gakpo sat beside Phil Dean (Mulliner Personal Commission Designer) speccing his bespoke Bentayga Speed

His Bentayga Speed

New Bentley generation

The Bentayga for everything

Personal commission

It turns out his father isn’t the only one enjoying the Bentayga. "It’s technically [my Dad's] car, but I get to drive it too," laughs Gakpo.

Now he is commissioning his own Bentley. "I’ve always loved the Continental GT, it’s a beautiful car," he says.

For the moment, though, practicality takes priority. He and his partner recently welcomed their first child, and priorities have shifted. "With a baby, you start thinking more practically. You need the space, the comfort, somewhere to put all the stuff that suddenly comes with having a child."

He has found the perfect answer in the ultra-rapid Bentayga Speed. "It still gives you that Bentley feeling, the performance, the detail, the luxury. But it fits better with where I’m at in life. I can drive it to training, take the family out, and still enjoy it every time I get behind the wheel."

As with any owner, he delights in the commissioning process. The result is a reflection of who he is and how he relates to the car. "For the exterior I chose Rubino Red. I wanted something strong and sleek, but not too flashy."

The interior is an even greater expression of his individual tastes and his place in the world. "I went with Pillar Box Red and Beluga, mainly because of the red, it’s a nod to Liverpool, which means a lot to me.

"I just think the combination works really well with the Speed – sporty, bold, but still classy, and it feels personal at the same time."

Every detail of his Bentley feels personal, a true reflection of character and craft. "Hopefully, I’ll be driving a Bentley for the rest of my life as well."

Cody Gakpo experiencing the attention to detail needed to craft the hand crafted wood veneer available in all Bentleys

Cody Gakpo stood alongside a red Continental R and a green Continental Turbo R within the Bentley Heritage Collection Garage

Cody Gakpo stood outside a Bentley residence looking into the distance

Care and Dedication

Meticulous detail

Philosophies align

Beyond a symbol

In Gakpo’s eyes, Bentley’s meticulous attention to detail mirrors the standards he applies to his own craft. "For me, a Bentley has always been more than just a car, it’s the quality and the way it’s made that really stands out.

"You can feel how much care has gone into every detail, from the materials to the way it drives. It’s smooth, comfortable, but still powerful."

These values were instilled by his father as he was growing up. "He spoke about Bentley with so much respect, not just because of the cars themselves, but what they stood for. He’d say they were built with real attention to detail, no shortcuts, everything done properly."

The Bentley philosophy became emblematic Cody as he was growing up. "When I was training every day, even as a kid, that same mindset applied, focus on the small things, keep your standards high, don’t rush the process.

"Bentley became a symbol of that for me. It wasn’t just about owning a nice car one day, it was more about what it represented: discipline, consistency, and pride in your craft.

"It became something I connected to personally. Something that represented hard work paying off."

For Gakpo, the connection between Bentley and his career runs deeper than admiration, it’s a shared philosophy.

"The way Bentley builds with purpose and precision, I tried to build my career with that same kind of mentality, one step at a time, with care and dedication."

His Bentayga Speed stands as a symbol of success, but one rooted in humility and integrity. "Success isn’t just about trophies or recognition, it’s about character, discipline, and how you treat people."