Manuel Akanji: The Story of a Nigerian-Swiss from a Sports Family

The highly rated Nigerian-Swiss defender, Manuel Akanji, is the second child and first son of his Swiss mother, Isabel, and Nigerian father, Abimbola Akanji. Manuel was born in Switzerland because his father decided to leave his finance job in Nigeria and relocate to Switzerland. There, Abimbola met and fell in love with Isabel, and together they shared a rich history in sports. They had three children: Manuel, Sarah, and Michelle, all of whom followed in their parents’ athletic footsteps. This article delves into the story of the sport-oriented Akanji family of Switzerland.

Our Biography of Manuel Akanji portrays Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Family Background, Parents – Isabel Akanji (Mother), Abimbola Akanji (Father), Wife (Melanie Windler), Children, Lifestyle, Net Worth and Personal Life.

In simple terms, this is a story of the Footballer’s life journey, from his boyhood days, to when he became famous. To whet your autobiography appetite, check out his boyhood to adult gallery — a perfect intro to our version of Manuel Akanji’s Bio.

Yes, you and I know Manuel Akanji is a Player of Nigerian descent and a prototype of the modern central defender.

 However, not many football fans have read an in-depth version of Manuel Akanji’s Biography, which we’ve prepared, and it’s quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.

Manuel Akanji Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, his full names are Manuel Obafemi Akanji.

The Swiss Footballer was born on the 19th day of July 1995 to his mother, Isabel Akanji and father, Abimbola Akanji, in Neftenbach, a municipality in Switzerland.

Pictured below, the handsome mixed-race baby came to the world as the second child and first son of the Akanji Family.

Young Manuel grew up alongside his two sisters, Michelle and Sarah. They were born into a household where sports ran through their veins.

Early on as kids, Manuel, Sarah and Michelle began following the footsteps of their sports-mad parents, whom we will introduce in the next sub-section.

Manuel Akanji Family Origin:

First and foremost, the Swiss footballer was born to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. Manuel Akanji’s parents might never have met if his father hadn’t left his finance job in Lagos, Nigeria, for a relocation to Switzerland.

As Bundesliga‘s website reports, Abimbola Akanji is a Nigerian financial expert who dabbled in amateur football during his younger years.

On the other hand, his mother, Isabel Akanji, is a former tennis player. Having learned this, you’ll agree with me that Manuel has perfect Swiss-African roots.

Manuel Akanji Family Background:

Having a father who is a financial expert in one of Europe’s major financial centers, Zurich, undoubtedly speaks volumes about a wealthy background.

What about a mother who excelled as a tennis player? From the above premise, it is obvious Manuel Akanji hails from a noble family.

Looking at photos from his early days, the young lad seemed to be the type whose parents could provide him with the latest collection of sporting toys.

As a child, little Manuel loved riding his bicycle. Let’s not forget he (who now plays for Man City) has been a self-confessed Manchester United fan.

Manuel Akanji Childhood Story- Education:

Like the average Swiss child, he began Kindergarten at the age of 4 and primary school at age 6. Right from the onset, Manuel Akanji’s parents deemed education as very important.

During his school days, the youngster gained a reputation for surpassing his peers in both numbers and mental arithmetic. Speaking about his experience in school, Akanji once said.

I enjoyed it. Back then, if there was a sign with five different numbers, I’ll make all kinds of arithmetic tasks out of it.

I can also memorize long numbers.

From fourth to the sixth grade, I also had a teacher who regularly organized tournaments in mental arithmetic.

This competition motivated me as I won almost every time.

Career Buildup:

As a young boy, Obafemi played soccer a lot during class breaks and with friends after school was over. Right from the onset, his sporting role models have always been his Nigerian father, Abimbola.

Early on, the super dad, who once had a failed career, has always wanted his son to correct his wrongs and live the Akanji family’s dreams. Speaking about how his dad impacted him into the game, Manuel once said;

I used to watch my father playing football until I wanted to try it out for myself.

I also did tennis. But When football training got even more intense, I gave up tennis and school.

Early Career Life:

At the age of 9, young Manuel Akanji got enrolled at FC Wiesendangen, an Amateur sports team in his neighbourhood. Perhaps you never knew… the youngster began his career journey as both a central midfielder and a winger.

Back then, everyone knew him as a level-headed boy, one who began collecting honours at a very young age.

Making lots of impression with his first academy attracted FC Winterthur at the age of 11. This is a bigger academy that played in the second tier of Swiss football.

There, Manuel Akanji continued to climb through the youth ranks, a feat that led to a successful academy football graduation. Not to forget, the youngster only became a central defender at the age of about 17.

Road to Fame Story:

Following academy graduation, the Swiss footballer, thanks to hard work, immediately became part of Winterthur’s first team.

Above all, the joy of Manuel Akanji’s family knew no bounds at the time he got a national call-up to be part of the Switzerland U-20 team.

From that moment, he realized he was destined for superstardom.

After making significant strides with the national team, FC Basel, the largest club in Switzerland, took notice and signed Akanji in 2015.

During his time at the club, the exceptional central defender contributed to their success in clinching the Swiss Cup and securing a Super League double. He also helped them to win the Swiss Cup and a Super League double. Achieving this feat led to scouts from Europe Big Clubs calling for his services.

Rise to Fame Story:

Following the departure of Sokratis Papastathopoulos to Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund began the quest of looking for someone to fill up the Greek shoes.

Luckily, Manuel Akanji became BVB’s final choice. A good Dortmund career start led to a 2018 World Cup call-up, where he, alongside Haris Seferović, Granit Xhaka, and Xherdan Shaqiri etc, helped Switzerland reach the knockout stages.

At the time of writing Manuel Akanji’s Biography, the Central Defender is currently seen as a veteran and one of the Bundesliga’s Fastest.

Since joining the German club, his success has grown by leaps and bounds. Barely after a year after joining BVB, Obafemi helped his side win the 2019 DFL Supercup.

Football fans know it’s NOT easy to spot super fast central defenders- talking about the likes of Raphael Varane. However, we are happy to see a new CB speed star in the person of Manuel Akanji.

In the Swiss national team, Manuel is a treasured asset. Just like other footballers from African extraction – the likes of Denis Zakaria, Speedster Breel Embolo and Noah Okafor.

It’s only a matter of time before the Swiss footballer blossoms his way into becoming a world-class talent. The rest, as we say, is now history.

Manuel Akanji Love Story:

Having journeyed so hard to become a professional footballer, the Swiss footballer, at some point, felt the need to have someone who would become his Better Half.

He needed a girlfriend who would ensure his emotional stability, progress and long-term development as a footballer.

Manual Akanji got Turned Down at first by Melanie:

About five years ago, since this Biography of Manuel Akanji is being put up, the footballer met a Pretty Damsel who goes by the name Melanie Windler.

Their meeting sparked a friendship, and an ambitious Akanji got so eager to ask her out on a date. Sadly, he over-rushed the whole thing and got turned down.

How Akanji won back Melanie’s Heart:

Interestingly, the Lover Boy never gave up. Three days after their first meeting, Melanie Windler travelled to the US for a student exchange semester for four long months. Manuel Akanji continued his chase remotely.

“I waited for her,” explained the footballer, laughing. “Becoming so patient made me win her heart.”

Melanie Windler entered into a relationship with Manuel Akanji around September 2015. This time also corresponds to his when he joined FC Basel. It was a time he hadn’t gotten fame.

The Proposal between Manuel Akanji and Melanie Windler:

In the last quarter of 2018, precisely on the 28th of September, the Swiss footballer became bold enough to pop the ultimate question. Obafemi proposed to Melanie, his Girlfriend. He made it public via Instagram with the caption;

She is the one💍

The Mariage:

Manuel Akanji and Melanie Windler exchanged vows on the 23rd day, in the month of June 2019 in Spain’s Balearic Islands (Mallorca), marking their wedding celebration. It was a ceremony in which teammates, close friends, and family members were the invited guests.

Since joining hands, both Manuel Akanji and his wife Melanie are regularly seen enjoying life at popular European seaside destinations. From the photos below, you’ll realize both are about to become parents.

Manuel Akanji Lifestyle:

For the footballer, money is of great importance and stands for the real reason why he works so hard. In this section, we’ll tell you how Manuel Akanji uses his €48,000 weekly wages and his €2.5 million annual salary.

If the Swiss footballer isn’t dressing in an all-white car and clothing outfit, you’re likely to see him in his second favourite colour, which is ‘Black.’

Now a Question!- Does Manuel Akanji look cooler with his black car-cloth outfit than the white above?

The Power Wheels:

Manuel Akanji Family Life:

The loving embrace of a close-knit Multiracial family brings all the warmth, one which is one-of-a-kind and can never be replaced.

Meet the most famous Swiss-Nigerian Family as they take a photo in their family home located in Wiesendangen, Switzerland.

In this section, we’ll tell you more facts about Manuel Akanji’s parents, starting with his Nigerian dad.

About Manuel Akanji’s Father:

About Manuel Akanji’s Mother:

Isabel Akanji is the super mum of the most famous Swiss-Nigerian family. The mother of three is a sportswoman herself- (a former tennis player) who later ventured into volleyball. She met her husband Abimbola Akanji in the United States while in a foreign language stay.

About Manuel Akanji’s Sisters:

The Swiss footballer has two siblings, Sarah and Michelle, both of whom are females. Manuel doesn’t have any brothers. His elder sister, Sarah, was born in 1993, making her two years older than him.

On the other hand, Michelle is six years younger than her brother. Below is a beautiful photo of Manuel Akanji’s look-alike sisters.

The Akanji siblings share a passion for sports. The youngest, Michelle, is an athlete. The eldest, Sarah Akanji, much like her brother Manuel, is a footballer and also plays as a defender.

Sarah has previously played for FC Winterthur and FC St. Gallen in the top Swiss women’s league. Football has played a significant role in fostering a close bond between Sarah and Manuel.

Manuel Akanji’s Family is also known in Swiss Politics:

Did you know?… Sarah Akanji is not just a footballer but also a local Swiss politician. She once ran in the Swiss canton council elections.

As we put up Manuel Akanji’s Biography, his sister Sarah has just been appointed as a member of the Cantonal Council of Zurich.

Without a doubt, Manuel Akanji’s parents didn’t just give birth to two footballers and an athlete, but also a politician in the person of Sarah.

Personal Life:

First and foremost, the Swiss Footballer is a child activist and someone who does not equate his self-confidence to arrogance.

Some fans would say his manner is abrupt, but there is absolutely nothing about him that is fake, overconfident and boastful.

More so, the Swiss Centre-Back possesses remarkable communication skills. Manuel is fluent in English, French and German, with only Spanish missing.

Finally, he is a seaside person who likes playing cards, loves basketball and strongly supports the Nigerian national team.

Manuel Akanji Untold Facts:

This section of the Swiss Athlete’s Bio unveils more facts about him. So without further ado, let’s begin.

An average German citizen who earns 3,770 euros a month would need to work for at least six years and nine months to earn Akanji’s monthly salary. Whereas the average Swiss citizen would need to work for three years.

What his middle name ‘Obefemi’ relates to his Haircut:

The crown which follows his hairstyle has something to do with his Nigerian heritage.

Upon closer observation, you’ll notice a shaved crown as part of his haircut style. This doesn’t symbolize a trophy but rather represents the manifestation of his Nigerian Yoruba middle name, ‘Obafemi’.

Manuel Akanji’s parents made him bear the Nigerian Yoruba name ‘Obafemi’, which means ‘Loved by the King’. In summary, his trademark shaved crown has something to do with his Nigerian heritage.

The Meaning of Manuel Akanji’s Tattoos:

The most obvious of his tattoo is the one which says; ‘Prove Them Wrong’. Manuel Akanji had this tattoo at a time he spent 11 months away from football due to a Torn Cruciate Ligament.

The tattoo was aimed to silence his critics, especially those who felt his career was over and those who thought he wouldn’t make it far after the injury.

The second most notable tattoo is that on his chest, which Akanji made for his family. It reads ‘Family is Where Life Begins and Love never ends.’

What his FIFA Stats Say:

Judging from the figures below, you’ll agree with me that Akanji has everything a modern CB needs. The Swiss FIFA stats look very much like that of David Alaba and Eder Militao.

What Could have Happened If Football never worked out:

While in his youth academy, the Swiss defender did a part-time study. After completing school in Switzerland (age 15), Manuel Akanji’s parents insisted on him participating in an apprenticeship scheme in order to become a merchant.

The reason was so he could have something in case football didn’t work. Manuel was lucky football worked out.

Conclusion:

Without a doubt, Manuel Akanji is a big talent and has the hallmarks of a great central defender.

Please tell us in the comment section what you think about Akanji’s career and our write-up about the footballer.

Thanks for reading the Life Story of the remarkable defender. Stay tuned for more Swiss Football stories from us. The Life History of Zeki Amdouni and Djibril Sow will fascinate you.

And from the standpoint of footballers born to Nigerian Dads and foreign Moms, the story of Jamal Musiala and Luca Koleosho is exciting to read.