The Amazing Johan Manzambi
Johan Manzambi is a proper midfielder
Nestled in the south-west corner of Germany, Freiburg SC have a unique proximity to two of Europe's most prominent footballing and talent-developing nations: France and Switzerland. The city of Freiburg im Breisgau - tucked between the snaking Rhine river and the western fringe of the Black Forest - is within driving distance of numerous major urban areas, including Strasbourg, Colmar, Basel, Bern and Zürich.
As such, unsurprisingly, the Swiss are the most represented foreign nationality in Freiburg history, amassing near 500 appearances in total. Their alumni includes former Bayern midfielder Alain Sutter; Roman Bürki, who went on to play six season at Borussia Dortmund; and senior internationals Amir Mehmedi and Gelson Fernandes. But, in time, Freiburg's latest Swiss star will likely prove their best.
Signed from Geneva-based Servette as a 17-year-old in 2023, Johan Manzambi has worked his way from the Freiburg II team - competing in the third division, then fourth, a couple of years ago - to breaking through as a first-teamer in the back end last season. Turning 20 years old last October, he has flourished into one of the Bundesliga's breakout talents during the current campaign and made an immediate impression in the senior Swiss national team as well, practically skipping the U-21 side altogether. His pathway has been peppered with eye-catching moments, not least a handful of exceptional goals and outstanding individual performances. The Swiss' stock is rising extremely quickly, and for very good reason.
This story was published in Volume I.
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