Johan Manzambi was born on October 14, 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a 20-year-old central midfielder who has established himself as one of the main promises of Swiss football. Born to parents with roots in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he trained in the youth ranks of Servette before joining SC Freiburg of the Bundesliga in 2023.
He made his debut with the German first team in the 2024/25 season and, in the 2025/26 campaign, he has established himself as a starter, with more than 25 appearances, five goals and four assists.
Manzambi stands out for his tactical ability, ball control, arrival to the area from the second line and physical presence. He measures 1.82 meters and already has several appearances with the Swiss senior team, with which he also registers goals.
The goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup
This Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Manzambi was the protagonist in Switzerland’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He came on as a substitute and scored a decisive double in the 4-1 victory.
The first goal came in the 74th minute. Manzambi received inside the area and hit a right-footed volley that beat the Bosnian goalkeeper. The action stood out for its coordination of movement and definition. His second goal came in added time and closed both his personal account and the score.
Johan Manzambi became the tenth player in World Cup history to score more than one goal coming on as a substitute in the same match. At 20 years and 247 days old, he is also the youngest to achieve this. His double, which earned him the title of matchwinner, fueled the Swiss 4-1 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Interest from European clubs
Manzambi’s good form has generated reports of interest from several European clubs. According to reports, English Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have sent scouts to follow him, while Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Napoli have also been linked to the Swiss footballer.
His contract with Freiburg runs until June 2030, so any negotiation would require a significant offer.
With this double, Manzambi consolidates himself as one of the emerging figures of Group B and confirms his international projection. At 20 years old, he represents the generational change of the Swiss team along with players like Granit Xhaka and Ruben Vargas. His ability to appear in decisive moments and his maturity on the field make him one of the players to watch during the rest of the 2026 World Cup.