Just last year, he was playing in Germany's fourth division, and he delivered his "first brace" on the World Cup stage.

Written by Mu Wenhan. If you turn the clock back a year and a half, even the most devoted Freiburg supporters would have barely recognized this young man named "Manzanbi." Before 2025, Manzanbi had made just one Bundesliga appearance for Freiburg's senior side, spending the vast majority of his time with Freiburg II in the Regionalliga Südwest—the fourth level of German football. But after Switzerland's 4-1 demolition of Bosnia in this World Cup group match, countless fans now know his name.

Coming off the bench for only three minutes, he broke the deadlock for Switzerland, then completed a brace, was named Man of the Match, and became the youngest player in World Cup history to score twice as a substitute. What does all this signify for this 20-year-old? Two hours after the match, Manzanbi was still all smiles, repeating over and over, "Unbelievable," "This is a childhood dream."

Manzanbi was born in Switzerland to African immigrant parents—one from Angola and the other from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He began playing football at age four, but until his youth team years, his primary position was goalkeeper. He once mentioned that his first football idol was German national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Manzanbi's early youth training was mainly spent in the youth ranks of Swiss club Servette. In 2023, he joined the U19 team of Bundesliga side Freiburg, gradually moving up to the first team. In September 2024, against Heidenheim, he made his Bundesliga debut, playing just nine minutes. For most of that year, he had to bide his time in the Regionalliga Südwest, and even in March 2025 he still made appearances in that semi-professional league.

Starting in January 2025, Manzanbi gradually earned limited substitute minutes in the first team, but his ability to capitalize on chances was impressive. Across 10 substitute appearances totaling 333 minutes, he contributed 2 goals and 2 assists—a strong return. In the just-concluded 2025/26 season, he truly exploded, scoring 7 goals and providing 9 assists in 47 matches—an outstanding record for a player under 21.

Manzanbi's most shining moment at club level this season was helping Freiburg reach the Europa League final.

As a club with over a century of history, Freiburg had never before reached a European final. In the 2025/26 Europa League, Manzanbi and his teammates worked together to overcome all challenges and advance to the final. Manzanbi himself scored in the second leg of the semi-final against Braga, helping the team overturn a first-leg away defeat and qualify.

Although Freiburg ultimately fell to Aston Villa in the final, Manzanbi and his teammates' names have been etched into the club's history. His impressive performances have also drawn interest from several top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Napoli. Thanks to his youth, his market value has soared to €50 million.

Though he is now the team's most valuable player, in the Swiss national team—brimming with experienced tournament veterans—Manzanbi is mostly limited to a substitute role. Despite being capable of playing almost all attacking positions, including attacking midfielder, winger, and center forward, head coach Yakin believes there are better options in each spot. Yakin once remarked that Manzanbi's style is "too street" and that he needs to play more systematically.

In the first match of this World Cup, Yakin gave Manzanbi only about 25 minutes of playing time. The young man made little impact in the closing stages, instead witnessing the team's embarrassing equalizer by Qatar, a side ranked far below them. After the match, almost every Swiss player faced criticism from the public, and Manzanbi was no exception.

So when the second group match arrived against Bosnia, another team ranked well below them, the Swiss felt immense pressure as they struggled to score. Embolo and Ndoye wasted chance after chance. Yet even so, Manzanbi's entrance came six minutes later than in the first game.

Fortunately, this time Manzanbi seized his brief substitute opportunity and became the team's savior. Three minutes after coming on, Vargas—who had been substituted on at the same time—sent in a cross from the left side of the box. The Bosnian defense cleared poorly with a header, and Manzanbi accurately anticipated the ball's trajectory at the penalty spot, smashing a volley past goalkeeper Vasilj. This was his first World Cup goal and potentially a golden strike that could alter Switzerland's fate in the tournament.

That goal instantly lifted the team's morale. The frustrated Bosnians suffered another blow in the 80th minute when Muharemovic was sent off with a red card, leaving them a man down. The Swiss naturally pressed on, and Vargas scored again to complete a goal and an assist. Manzanbi's magical night was not over either. In the 90th minute, he received another assist from Vargas to complete his brace—at that moment, one record after another tumbled: he became Switzerland's youngest World Cup goalscorer since 1950, the first Swiss player to score a brace as a substitute, the youngest Swiss player to net a double in a World Cup, and, most significantly, the youngest substitute brace scorer in World Cup history.

"Honestly, this is just unbelievable—this is my first brace in my career, and it happened on the World Cup stage." The perfect performance reserved for the biggest stage—a moment so many dream of. In a post-match interview, the 20-year-old could barely contain his excitement: "Scoring two goals in front of the fans and my family—this is too good, too good. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."

A month ago, Manzanbi had said his World Cup goal was "to provide at least one assist." Now, when asked again about his World Cup ambition, he revealed a hint of ambition: "I already have two goals. I'm looking forward to more."