The Democratic Republic of Congo places its best players in the best European championships. We thus find Congolese footballers in major championships such as in France, England, Belgium and Turkey. These athletes, essential for their clubs, also have a high market value to assert on the transfer market. Mbemba, Wissa, Elia, Sadik and Bongonda are the most expensive Leopards at the moment, according to estimates from the famous site transfermarkt.fr.
Yoane Wissa (28 million euros)
Yoane Wissa is undeniably one of the footballers who carry the DRC beyond the country’s borders. Playing for Brentford in the English Premier League, he continues to be talked about weekend after weekend, thanks to his excellent performances. Performances reminiscent of a sports betting expert, as one might see on platforms such as where connoisseurs bet on emerging talents. This season alone, he already has four goals and one assist in 6 league games. It should be remembered that Wissa has been playing with the London club since 2021. The latter had to pay 10 million euros to Lorient to secure his services.
The Congolese striker has shown consistency since his arrival in England, already surpassing the 30-goal mark after just three full seasons. As a result, its market value has also evolved over time. Today, any club interested in his profile should prepare a first offer of around 28 million euros. The former Angers player has a contract until 2026 with Brentford. However, the club could sell it at the end of the current season, or in the winter of 2025, in order to make a significant profit on its sale.
Chancel Mbemba (8 million euros)
Captain of the DRC national team, Chancel Mbemba is the Leopard most in his delicate situation at club
. He plays at Olympique de Marseille, a club he joined freely in the summer of 2022, after four years with FC Porto in Portugal. The Congolese had joined the Portuguese team for eight million euros in July 2018. Before that, he had experienced a more expensive transfer in 2015. Newcastle United in England, had paid 12 million euros to buy his services from Anderlecht in Belgium. Over the years, Chancel Mbemba has grown in experience.
Today, he is considered one of the best African defenders playing on the old continent. Which considerably increased its market value. Linked by a contract until 2025 with the Marseille club, any club interested in his profile before the expiration of its lease should write a big check. The player is estimated at 8 million euros. An amount that could rise with the bidding if the suitors jostle for it. With the Saudi possibilities, this value could very quickly double in possible negotiations for the 30-year-old player.
Noah Sadiki (7 million euros)
Noah Sadiki creates a surprise by taking third place among the most expensive Congolese players on the market. This, at only 19 years old. Furthermore, it was only in 2024 that the Union Saint-Gilloise player discovered the national team, after having dragged his bump through the Belgian youth teams. The central midfielder only arrived at his club in 2023, for the modest sum of 1.4 million euros, from Anderlecht. Trained in this training, he also went through the club’s reserves, before making his professional debut during the 2021-2022 season.
Since his arrival at Union Saint-Gilloise, he has established himself as an indisputable starter, playing 53 matches in all competitions last season. He was particularly impactful in competitions like the UEFA Europa League. This season, 20 matches have already been played. Endowed with great intelligence and good reading of the game, Noah Sidiki already commands the admiration of several European big names. To this end, its market value has already reached 7 million euros.
Meschack Elia (6.5 million euros)
Meschack Elia, Congolese striker for Young Boys in Switzerland, logically finds himself in the ranking of Leopards with the highest market values. The 27-year-old joins the Bern team in February 2020 from Tout Puissant Mazembe for an undisclosed fee. But since his arrival, he has had a string of good performances, thus increasing his market value. Over the last three seasons apart from the current one, Meschack Elia has always crossed the 10 goal mark for each exercise. This season, it’s already a goal and an assist in 16 games. With his club, he displays good statistics both in the Championship and in the Swiss Cup.
Better yet, the Congolese striker often shines in the Champions League, with regular appearances. He also scores in this competition. Direct consequence, a good market value. The player is estimated at 6.5 million euros. A sum that the suitors must offer to afford it. Recently, it was FC Nantes which was attracted by his profile. The French club could return to the charge this winter.
Théo Bongonda (5 million euros)
With an estimated market value of 5 million euros, the Spartak Mouscou player completes this top 5 of the most expensive Leopards of the moment. Recruited by the Russian club for an amount of 7.3 million euros, Bongonda had previously worn the colors of Celta Vigo, in Spain, where he received praise from the great Zinedine Zidane who predicted a bright future for him.
Today, Théo Bongonda is one of the leading figures of the Congolese selection for which he has been playing since 2022. Nicknamed “Théo Messi” in his country, the 29-year-old striker displays his talent and class in every match of the Leopards, and stands out for his ability to dribble and impact on the right flank of the attack. He undoubtedly has many good years to live in the jersey and thrills to offer the Congolese.
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2024-11-09 10:09:00
#DRC #popular #Leopards #moment
**Interview with Sport Analyst Marcel Ngoy on the Rising Stars of Congolese Football**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Marcel. The Democratic Republic of Congo has truly talented footballers making significant impacts in Europe. How do you think this elevates the profile of Congolese football?
*Marcel Ngoy:* Thank you for having me. The presence of Congolese players in top European leagues certainly boosts the country’s football profile. It showcases the talent that exists in the DRC and promotes interest in local leagues and youth development. When players like Yoane Wissa are performing at a high level in the Premier League, it draws attention to the entire footballing system back home.
*Interviewer:* Speaking of Yoane Wissa, he has become the most valuable player from the DRC with a market value of 28 million euros. What do you think are his key strengths that have contributed to his success at Brentford?
*Marcel Ngoy:* Wissa’s success lies in his versatility and consistency. He can play multiple attacking roles, which makes him adaptable in different formations. Additionally, his impressive scoring record—being able to net over 30 goals in just three seasons—highlights his goal-scoring instinct and tactical intelligence. His ability to perform consistently under pressure is reminiscent of top talents sought by clubs, and that reflects his growing market value.
*Interviewer:* Chancel Mbemba, another key player, has seen his market value rise as he captains the national team. What challenges do you think he faces at Olympique de Marseille?
*Marcel Ngoy:* Mbemba has earned respect for his defensive capabilities, but he faces pressure due to expectations as a captain. Adapting to French football’s pace and style is challenging, especially considering injuries and the intense competition for places in the lineup. Additionally, as players from outside Europe become increasingly sought after, he must maintain a high performance level to ensure clubs see his true value—especially with the looming Saudi offers which could further escalate his market worth.
*Interviewer:* It’s remarkable to see 19-year-old Noah Sadiki already among the top players with a 7 million euro value. What’s behind his rapid rise in the football scene?
*Marcel Ngoy:* Sadiki’s rise is indeed impressive! His ability to seamlessly transition from youth to professional football speaks to his hard work and footballing IQ. Joining Union Saint-Gilloise for a modest fee and quickly becoming an essential player shows his potential. His performances in the UEFA Europa League and the Belgian league indicate that he has the physical and mental attributes that European clubs value highly. His age, coupled with his impact on the field, makes him a hot prospect for scouts.
*Interviewer:* Lastly, what does the financial success of these players signal for future Congolese talents?
*Marcel Ngoy:* The success of these athletes indicates a positive trend for Congolese football. Higher market values suggest increased investment in youth programs and scouting, which could lead to a new generation of talented players emerging from the DRC. It also provides a blueprint for aspiring footballers by showing that they can achieve success on the international stage, potentially leading to better training facilities and further development within the country.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Marcel. Your insights into the current state of Congolese football and its rising stars are truly enlightening.
*Marcel Ngoy:* Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time for Congolese football, and I look forward to seeing how these players evolve in their careers.