Manuel Akanji

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 and the Switzerland national team.

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 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. Akanji was loaned to Inter Milan in 2025, helping the side win a Serie A and Coppa Italia double before joining the club permanently the following season.

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.