Who is Manuel Akanji? Read about his early life, family, age, parents, siblings, career, current teams, contract, salary, net worth in 2024, and more.
Who is Manuel Akanji?
Manuel Akanji is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a center-back. He was born on July 19, 1995, in Wiesendangen, Switzerland. Akanji is known for his strong defensive abilities, athleticism, and excellent passing skills from the back.
Profile Wiki Data
Profession | Professional footballer |
Years active | 2014-present |
Current teams | Manchester City |
Position | Defender |
Height | 1.86 m |
Current market value | €45.0M. |
Net Worth | $10 million(est.) |
Manuel Akanji Biography
Manuel Obafemi Akanji was born to a Nigerian father, Abimbola Akanji, and a Swiss mother, Isabel Akanji. His father is a financial expert, while his mother is a former tennis player. Growing up in Wiesendangen, a town near Winterthur, Switzerland, Akanji had a multicultural upbringing and was exposed to various sports, including football and tennis.
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Akanji’s football journey started at his hometown club FC Wiesendangen. His potential was recognized early, and he joined FC Winterthur, a Swiss football club known for developing young talent. He progressed through the youth system and debuted for Winterthur’s senior team in the Swiss Challenge League in 2014.
Akanji’s performances at Winterthur caught the attention of Swiss Super League club FC Basel. He signed with Basel in 2015 and quickly became a key player in their defense. His time at Basel was highly successful, winning two Swiss Super League titles (2015–16, 2016–17) and the Swiss Cup in 2016–17.
Akanji’s performances in Basel’s domestic league and their UEFA Champions League campaigns earned him recognition as one of Switzerland’s top defensive talents.
In January 2018, Akanji made a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s Bundesliga for a reported fee of €18 million. He quickly established himself as a regular starter in Dortmund’s defense, known for his composure, ball-playing ability, and tactical intelligence.
Akanji became a central figure in Dortmund’s squad over the years, helping the team compete in both domestic and European competitions. He played a key role in the club’s DFB-Pokal victory in the 2020-21 season. His consistent performances, including standout games in the UEFA Champions League, further raised his profile in European football.
In September 2022, Akanji joined Manchester City in the Premier League. He signed with the club on a five-year deal for a reported fee of £15 million. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Akanji adapted quickly to the Premier League’s intensity and City’s style of play. His ball-playing abilities and versatility were crucial to City’s defensive structure, contributing to their success in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Champions League.
During the 2022–23 season, Akanji was part of the Manchester City squad that won the Premier League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League, securing a historic treble for the club.
Manuel Akanji made his debut for the Swiss national team in 2017. He has since been a key figure in Switzerland’s defense, playing in major tournaments such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020. Akanji’s international performances have earned him praise for his leadership and reliability in defense.
Akanji is multilingual, speaking English, German, and French fluently. His background reflects both Swiss and Nigerian heritage, and he is known for his calm, focused personality on and off the field. In December 2019, Akanji married his longtime girlfriend, Melanie Windler.
Akanji is known for his athleticism, strong tackling, and aerial ability. He is also excellent with the ball at his feet, often initiating attacks from deep with precise passes. His versatility allows him to play across different defensive positions, and he is particularly valued for his composure under pressure and ability to read the game.
What is Manuel Akanji’s nationality?
His nationality is Swiss.
What is Manuel Akanji’s ethnicity?
His ethnicity is Nigerian.
Parents: Father, Mother
Manuel Obafemi Akanji was born to a Nigerian father, Abimbola Akanji, and a Swiss mother, Isabel Akanji.
Siblings: Brothers, Sisters
He has two sisters Sarah Akanji and Michelle Akanji.
Religion
He is a Christian.
How old is he? Age
He is 29 years old.
Birthday, zodiac sign
His birthday is on July 19 so his zodiac sign is Cancer.
Education
While there is limited detailed information available about Manuel Akanji’s formal education, it is known that Akanji is an intelligent and analytical individual. He has been noted for his interest in mathematics and problem-solving, which reflects his sharp mind both on and off the field.
Akanji’s football career took off at a young age, and like many professional athletes, his education likely focused on balancing academics with his early development in football. His transition from youth football to a professional career, starting with FC Winterthur and later FC Basel, suggests that his formal education may have been secondary to his footballing aspirations.
Despite this, his intelligence is evident in his style of play, often praised for his tactical awareness and ability to read the game. Additionally, he is known to have a keen interest in various subjects outside of football, and his fluency in multiple languages (English, German, and French) further points to a well-rounded intellectual capability.
Manuel Akanji Manchester City Contract
Manuel Akanji signed a five-year contract with Manchester City on September 1, 2022. The reported transfer fee was around £15 million (€17.5 million), with the contract running until the summer of 2027. His move to Manchester City came after a successful stint at Borussia Dortmund, and he has since become an important part of City’s defense.
Under this contract, Akanji plays a crucial role in Manchester City’s defensive line, valued for his versatility, composure, and ball-playing abilities. The contract reflects City’s long-term investment in him, and his performances since joining have justified his addition to the squad, particularly during the 2022–23 season when the club won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
International Career
2014–2017: Swiss Youth Teams
- 2014–2015: Played for Switzerland U20 and U21 teams. Akanji’s performances at the youth level earned him recognition and set the stage for his senior call-up.
2017: Senior Debut
- June 9, 2017: Akanji made his senior debut for Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands, which Switzerland won 2–0.
2018: FIFA World Cup
- May 28, 2018: Akanji was named in Switzerland’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
- June 17, 2018: Akanji made his World Cup debut in Switzerland’s 1–1 draw against Brazil during the group stage.
- June 22, 2018: Akanji played in Switzerland’s 2–1 win over Serbia, helping the team move closer to qualification from the group stage.
- July 3, 2018: Switzerland was eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 1–0 loss to Sweden, with Akanji playing every minute of the match.
2019–2021: UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification
- September 8, 2019: Akanji played a key role in Switzerland’s 4–0 win over Gibraltar in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier.
- November 18, 2019: Switzerland secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2020 with a 6–1 win over Gibraltar, with Akanji playing an important role in the campaign.
- 2021: UEFA Euro 2020 (Held in 2021)
- June 12, 2021: Akanji played in Switzerland’s opening game of Euro 2020, a 1–1 draw against Wales.
- June 28, 2021: Akanji was pivotal in Switzerland’s 3–3 draw (5–4 victory in penalties) against France in the Round of 16, where Switzerland knocked out the reigning world champions.
- July 2, 2021: Switzerland was eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 1–1 draw with Spain, losing 3–1 in the penalty shootout, but Akanji’s performances were highly praised throughout the tournament.
2022: FIFA World Cup Qualification and Tournament
- October 12, 2021: Akanji scored his first international goal in Switzerland’s 4–0 win over Lithuania during a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- March 24, 2022: Akanji featured in a friendly match against England, in which Switzerland lost 2–1.
- November–December 2022: Akanji played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, being part of the Swiss squad that advanced to the knockout stages.
Manuel Akanji’s international career continues to develop, with him being a key figure in Switzerland’s defense across major tournaments.
Style of Play
Manuel Akanji’s current team is Manchester City.
Manuel Akanji’s position in the field is Defender for Manchester City.
His current jersey number is 25.
Manuel Akanji Height, Weight
Manuel Akanji’s height is 1.86 m.
His body weight is 90 kg.
His other body stats and distinctive features include:
Eye color is dark brown.
Hair color is black.
Skin color is light brown.
Built body type.
Girlfriend, is Manuel Akanji Single?
Manuel Akanji is not single. He is married to his longtime girlfriend, Melanie Windler. The couple got married in December 2019. They have been together for several years and share a strong relationship.
Manuel Akanji Net Worth
Manuel Akanji’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
His current market value is €45.0M.
Social Media Handles
- Instagrams handle: @manuelobafemiakanji
Source: www.footybrief.net.