From Leopold FC to Juve
Leopold FC in Uccle then Brussels. It was in these two teams that Samuel Mbangula discovered football. Quickly spotted by several clubs who detected his potential, the Brussels native headed to the Club Bruges academy at the age of ten. And, after five years of daily travel between the Capital and the Venice of the North (he was not at boarding school), he wanted to be closer to his family by signing for Anderlecht. However, he only stayed there for one season, until Juventus offered him, in 2020, to join the Bianconeri adventure.
In Turin, the young Belgian had to go through all the stages to achieve his dream. He wore the jersey of the U17s, the U19s in the Youth League, the U20 team, then the Next Gen group registered in Serie C (D3), before discovering the A team this Monday.When I scored that first goal, I felt like it was a dream. When I felt the stadium with all the fans, it was an incredible feeling.”
He met Ronaldo
A fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Samuel Mbangula has fulfilled another dream by opting for Juventus: meeting the Portuguese, who played for Juve between 2018 and 2021.I met him and I was able to chat with him a little but I didn’t have the chance to train with him when he was still at Juventus.the left winger told us, who has other models. I also took inspiration from other players: Eden Hazard, Neymar Jr and I also watch Vinicius Jr a lot.”
Samuel Mbangula congratulated by Manuel Locatelli. ©AFP or licensors
Winger, 9 or 10
For his big debut with Thiago Motta, the Belgian was lined up on the left wing of the 4-2-3-1. The right-hander can nevertheless play in other positions: on the right wing, as number 10 (he was tested in this position with the Diablotins during the recent training camp in Morocco), or even as a center forward.But I prefer the left wing. That’s where I can do the most damage and where I feel best. However, I’m not closed to playing in other positions, as long as it’s an offensive role. On the other hand, I think it would be more complicated for me to be a real goalscorer.”
Paradoxically, it was in this role that he spent the last years of his Bruges training.To be a good No. 9, you need strength to protect the ball against bigger or stronger defenders. Then, heading isn’t my strong point either. It’s clear that it can be worked on, but I want to use my dribbling, speed and shooting skills from the left wing more. Especially since I’m right-footed, so I like to get into the game.”
Meeting with Samuel Mbangula, the Juventus Devil: “Let’s reestablish the truth: I am 10 cm taller”
Ten centimeters more
From Belgian U15s to U21s
Apart from the U16s because he was outclassed, Mbangula has played in all the national youth selections with Belgium: from the U15s to the U21s. It was in October 2023 that Gill Swerts called him up for the first time with the Diablotins who are trying to qualify for the Euro U21 2025 in Slovakia. His parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, so he has obviously already been contacted by the Congolese federation. However, for the moment he prefers to focus on Belgium, even if he does not want to close the door to the DRC.
But before thinking about the Red Devils, the twenty-year-old must obviously first confirm his performances.Now we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue working, already thinking about the next match.”insisted Thiago Motta.He must continue to work because to stay here you always have to be at a high level and he has all the qualities to do so.”confirms his teammate Manuel Locatelli.
Samuel Mbangula in the history of Juve and Belgian football: “An incredible feeling” Compared to Onana, fan of Camavinga and flirted with by Inter… discovering “Gala” Mukau, the other Belgian from LOSC: “A talent in the making”
