Clubs are eyeing Switzerland’s $82m-rated sensation & he showed why in game-changing World Cup blitz
Johan Manzambi scored his first FIFA World Cup goals on an unforgettable day as Switzerland overcame 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on Friday (AEST).
Switzerland were dramatically held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar in their Group B opener after a 95th-minute equaliser last week, but the Swiss kick-started their campaign in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
Ruben Vargas sealed the result late on after Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but it was two-goal hero Manzambi who set the tone, having also completed the scoring at the end.
The 20-year-old’s moment of quality unlocked the contest. Manzambi’s composure for his 90th-minute goal reinforced what a lot of teams are saying about the Swiss talent.
Manzambi – the youngest player in Switzerland’s squad – had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he rifled a powerful volley into the back of the net, with 16 minutes of regulation remaining as he became the third-youngest goalscorer in Switzerland’s World Cup history.
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It was his first World Cup goal. It was also a reminder of his quality as European clubs circle the Freiburg young gun and he added another goal 16 minutes later.
Manzambi played in the UEFA Europa League final loss to Aston Villa and while the German club lost, he was named the Young Player of the Season. The $82million-rated midfielder was asked about his future afterwards amid reported interest from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli.
“I honestly don’t know,” he told Bild. “My contract runs until 2030.
“We’ll see. Right now, I have to prepare for the World Cup, then we’ll see what the future holds for me.”
It was a breakout season for Manzambi, who actually wanted to be a goalkeeper growing up.
He scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 47 games across all competitions for Freiburg, earning a call-up to Switzerland’s World Cup squad.
It has been a rapid rise for Manzambi, who made his professional debut in August 2024 and skipped the Under-21s and was drafted straight into Switzerland’s senior team last year.
“Playing in the World Cup is a childhood dream. When the coach messaged me, I was over the moon,” he said at the time.
