Johan Manzambi mapped it all out before he even debuted for Freiburg or won his first cap for Switzerland. The 20-year-old midfielder set his sights on the 2026 World Cup and, once there, became one of the tournament's breakout stars – scoring a double off the bench against Bosnia, then adding a goal and an assist on his full debut versus Canada before setting up Switzerland's opener against Algeria. A knee injury kept him out of the last-16 win over Colombia; his fitness for the quarter-final against holders Argentina remains uncertain. But Manzambi has already made history: he is the youngest player to register five goal involvements at a single World Cup since records began in 1966. "I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more from him over the coming years," said close friend Yann Sturm.
That drive has long been evident. After one draining Freiburg reserves session, Manzambi asked then-II manager Benedetto Muzzicato to go over the game plan again because it "didn't feel right". Muzzicato said: "He wants to improve every single day. If anything, you have to slow him down rather than motivate him." The Swiss international was a key cog as Freiburg reached their first Europa League final last season, and he followed Rayan Cherki and Florian Wirtz by being named the competition's young player of the season. In his first full campaign as a starter, he racked up 13 goal involvements, including stunning long-range efforts against Bayern Munich and Braga.
“Newcastle United are targeting World Cup star Johan Manzambi and finalising a deal for Ajax teenager Sean Steur.”
Newcastle United, who have long had Manzambi on their radar, are now in the race for his signature. At the same time, they are closing in on another young midfielder: 18-year-old Ajax product Sean Steur. The club have the funds after selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee worth up to £100m. Steur, whose contract expires in 2028, became a regular at Ajax in the second half of last season and started the De Klassieker win over Feyenoord at age 17. Among Eredivisie midfielders aged 18 or younger who started the season, he ranked first for chances created (15), total carries (231) and duel success (56.8%), and was second for passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), possession won (49) and duels won (46).