Manuel Akanji
Swiss footballer (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel Obafemi Akanji ⓘ (Swiss Standard German pronunciation: [ˈmaː.nu.ɛl aˈkan.dʒi]; born 19 July 1995) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Inter Milan, on loan from Premier League club Manchester City, and the Switzerland national team.
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Akanji with Manchester City in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Manuel Obafemi Akanji[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 19 July 1995[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Neftenbach, Switzerland[3] | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Inter Milan (on loan from Manchester City) | ||
| Number | 25 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2007 | FC Wiesendangen | ||
| 2007–2013 | FC Winterthur | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2014 | FC Winterthur II | 18 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | FC Winterthur | 35 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | FC Basel II | 4 | (0) |
| 2015–2018 | FC Basel | 42 | (5) |
| 2018–2022 | Borussia Dortmund | 119 | (4) |
| 2022– | Manchester City | 85 | (2) |
| 2025– | → Inter Milan (loan) | 33 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2014 | Switzerland U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Switzerland U21 | 6 | (0) |
| 2017– | Switzerland | 81 | (4) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:23, 3 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:34, 6 June 2026 (UTC) | |||
An academy graduate of FC Winterthur, Akanji's professional career began in 2014, when he made his debut for the then-Swiss Challenge League club, having also previously played for the club's second team. He moved to first tier FC Basel in 2015, where he won consecutive league titles in 2015–16 and 2016–17, the latter of which was a double that included the 2016–17 Swiss Cup. Following his success with Basel, Akanji was sold to Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window of 2018. During his stay in the Bundesliga, he helped Dortmund win the 2019 DFL-Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal. He joined Manchester City in 2022, winning a continental treble in his first season with the club, as well as numerous other trophies, including one more Premier League title in 2023–24.
Internationally, Akanji represents Switzerland, making his debut for the senior team in 2017 after featuring for the under-20 and under-21 sides. He was a member of Switzerland's squad for two editions of the UEFA European Championship, in 2020 and 2024, as well as three FIFA World Cups, in 2018, 2022 and 2026.
Club career
Youth football and early career
Akanji began his youth career with the local club in Wiesendangen. In May 2007, Akanji changed clubs and was a youth-team player for FC Winterthur, featuring for their under-18 team and later with their second team. In the 2014–15 Challenge League, he became a regular starter for Winterthur, having played two games for them during the second half of the previous season.[4]
FC Basel
On 15 April 2015, it was announced that Akanji would be transferred to FC Basel for the 2015–16 Swiss Super League season.[5] He made his Swiss Super League debut on 26 September 2015 being substituted in against FC Lugano. Under manager Urs Fischer, Akanji won the Swiss Super League championship at the end of the 2015–16 Super League season.[6] Basel then won the 2016–17 Swiss Super League and 2016–17 Swiss Cup double, making it the sixth time the club had achieved this feat in its history.[7]
As Swiss Champions, Basel qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League and started in the group stage. Akanji played the full 90 minutes in all six games and helped the team finish second in its group, thus qualifying for the knockout phase.[8]
Borussia Dortmund
Akanji signed for Borussia Dortmund on 15 January 2018 during the winter transfer window for a reported fee of €18 million[9] He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract dated until June 2022.[10][11] On 2 February, Akanji made his BVB debut as an 87th minute substitute for André Schürrle in a 3–2 win at 1. FC Köln.[12]
On 27 September 2018, Akanji scored his first goal for the club and his first Bundesliga goal in a 7–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.[13] Akanji was widely criticised for his costly errors during Dortmund's failed challenge to Bayern Munich during the 2019–20 season. Akanji was one of the main players singled out as a weak link in the team.[14] Akanji played the full 90 minutes as Dortmund beat RB Leipzig 4–1 in the 2021 DFB-Pokal Final at the Berlin Olympiastadion on 13 May 2021.[15]
Manchester City
2022–23 season
On 1 September 2022, Akanji joined Premier League champions Manchester City, signing a contract until 2027[16] for a reported fee of £15 million.[17] He made his debut for City five days later, starting in a 4–0 away win over Sevilla in the Champions League group stage.[18]
He made his Premier League debut on 17 September, starting in a 3–0 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[19] He was voted the club's Player of the Month for October.[20] On 17 May 2023, he scored his first goal for the club, which was also his first in the Champions League, with a header deflected by Éder Militão in a 4–0 home win over Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg.[21] During the 2022–23 Premier League, Akanji played more minutes than any other Manchester City defender.[22]
2023–24 season
On 21 October 2023, Akanji received his first red card for Manchester City in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.[23] On 25 October, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3–1 win over BSC Young Boys in the Champions League.[24] He scored his first Premier League goal in a 6–1 win over Bournemouth on 4 November[25] and, on 12 November, scored in a third consecutive match as City drew 4–4 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.[26]
2024–25 season
On 10 August 2024, Akanji scored the winning penalty as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 7–6 on penalties to win the 2024 FA Community Shield after a 1–1 draw in regular time.[27]
Loan to Inter Milan
On 2 September 2025, Akanji joined Serie A side Inter Milan on a season-long loan.[28]
International career
Akanji made two appearances for the Switzerland U-20 national team. His debut was on 7 September 2014 in the 0–0 draw against the German U-20 national team. From 2014, he was a member of the Switzerland U-21 team and made his debut for them on 26 March in the 0–3 defeat by the Italian U-21 team.[citation needed] On 9 June 2017, Akanji made his debut for the Swiss senior team in a 2–0 win against Faroe Islands in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match, where he played the entire 90 minutes.[29][30] He was included in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and started all four of the team's matches as they reached the round of 16.[31] In May 2019, Akanji played in 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where his team finished fourth.[32]
In 2021, he was named in the Swiss squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[33] He started all five of Switzerland's matches as they reached the quarter-finals,[34] scoring his kick as the Swiss beat France in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.[35] However, in the quarter-final against Spain, he was one of three Swiss players to miss their spot kicks in the 4–2 penalty shootout loss.[36]
On 24 September 2022, Akanji scored his first senior international goal against Spain in a 2–1 UEFA Nations League victory.[37] Akanji was a member of the Swiss squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and, on 7 December 2022, he scored the only goal for Switzerland in a 6–1 loss to Portugal in the round of 16.[38]
On 7 June 2024, Akanji was named in Switzerland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[39] He played the full match in the team's opening Group A fixture on 15 June, as the Nati defeated Hungary 3–1 in Cologne.[40] He helped Switzerland reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive European Championship, where his team was eventually eliminated by England on penalties. Akanji took the first spot kick for Switzerland in the shoot-out, which Jordan Pickford saved, and with both teams scoring their remaining penalties, England advanced by winning 5–3.[41] For his performances, Akanji was selected in the Team of the Tournament.[42]
On 20 May 2026, Akanji was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[43]
Style of play
Akanji is known for his cultured style of play, which is characterised by his technical ability, composure on the ball, and excellent passing range.[44][45][46] He is also a strong and physical defender who is comfortable in one-on-one situations and is adept at intercepting passes and making tackles.[45][47][48][49]
His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions as well as his calmness under pressure is well known among fans of the Premier League. Akanji's passing ability is also a key part of his game, and he is often involved in building attacks from the back.[45][48][49][50] His long-range passing is particularly noteworthy, and he is capable of playing accurate diagonal balls to switch the play and create space for his teammates.[45][48][50] Due to his passing abilities, Akanji has been deployed as both a left-back and right-back, as well as occasionally a libero, much like teammate John Stones, by City manager Pep Guardiola.[50][51]
Personal life
Akanji was born in Neftenbach,[3] Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father.[52] His sister Sarah is a former footballer for FC Winterthur Frauen and a Social Democratic Party of Switzerland politician.[53]
In 2017, already a professional player, he completed his vocational training as a tradesman (″Kaufmann″). On Swiss TV in 2018 he showed excellent skills at mental calculation.[54][55]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 13 May 2026[56]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| FC Winterthur II | 2013–14 | 1. Liga Classic | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 0 | ||||
| FC Winterthur | 2013–14 | Swiss Challenge League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2014–15 | Swiss Challenge League | 33 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 35 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 35 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 37 | 1 | |||||
| FC Basel II | 2015–16 | Swiss Promotion League | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17 | Swiss Promotion League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||||
| FC Basel | 2015–16 | Swiss Super League | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | Swiss Super League | 15 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 5 | |||
| 2017–18 | Swiss Super League | 19 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 6[d] | 0 | — | 28 | 2 | |||
| Total | 42 | 5 | 9 | 2 | — | 7 | 0 | — | 58 | 7 | ||||
| Borussia Dortmund | 2017–18 | Bundesliga | 11 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19 | Bundesliga | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 5[d] | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | |||
| 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 28 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 41 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 26 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[f] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 36 | 1 | ||
| Total | 119 | 4 | 12 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 158 | 4 | |||
| Manchester City | 2022–23 | Premier League | 29 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11[d] | 1 | — | 48 | 1 | |
| 2023–24 | Premier League | 30 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8[d] | 2 | 4[g] | 0 | 48 | 4 | |
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8[d] | 0 | 4[h] | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| Total | 85 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 136 | 5 | ||
| Inter Milan (loan) | 2025–26 | Serie A | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 10[d] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 2 | |
| Career total | 336 | 14 | 38 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 68 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 456 | 19 | ||
- Includes Swiss Cup, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Coppa Italia
- Appearance in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in DFL-Supercup
- Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
- One appearance in FA Community Shield, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
- One appearance in FA Community Shield, three appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
International
- As of match played 6 June 2026[57]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 81 | 4 | |
- As of match played 5 September 2025
- Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Akanji goal[57]
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 September 2022 | La Romareda, Zaragoza, Spain |  Spain | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A |
| 2 | 6 December 2022 | Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar |  Portugal | 1–4 | 1–6 | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
| 3 | 15 October 2023 | Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland |  Belarus | 2–3 | 3–3 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
| 4 | 5 September 2025 | St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland |  Kosovo | 1–0 | 4–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
FC Basel
Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2022–23, 2023–24[2]
- FA Cup: 2022–23;[63] runner-up: 2023–24,[64] 2024–25[65]
- FA Community Shield: 2024[66]
- UEFA Champions League: 2022–23[67]
- UEFA Super Cup: 2023[68]
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2023[69]
Inter Milan
Individual
- Swiss Super League Team of the Year: 2017–18[72]
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2024[42]
