Manuel

Career Story

Manuel Obafemi Akanji is a technical and physically strong defender, capable of remaining calm and composed in the most delicate situations. Born in Wiesendangen, in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, on July 19, 1995, Manuel began playing for his hometown club at the age of nine.

In 2007, he joined Winterthur, the same club where his sister Sarah also played for the women’s team. It marked the beginning of a new six-year journey that would eventually see him wear one of the most prestigious shirts in his country. After becoming a key player for Winterthur in the Swiss second division, he moved to Basel in the summer of 2015.

In January 2018, Borussia Dortmund came calling, where he continued to develop. During his four and a half years in the Rhineland, Manuel made 158 appearances, winning one German Cup and one German Super Cup.

By then established as an international-level defender, Akanji joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022. Manuel is a versatile defender, capable of playing in several positions thanks to his excellent ability on the ball.

The 23rd Swiss player in Inter’s history, Manuel is a veteran of the Swiss national team, for whom he made his debut in 2017. In the summer of 2025, he joined Inter, immediately demonstrating his quality and becoming an almost indispensable part of the Nerazzurri lineup.

His first season in Milan was a triumphant one, ending with the conquest of both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia.