A month ago, hardly anyone knew him, but now Samuel Mbangula has quickly become a Serie A sensation. The 20-year-old Belgian has scored one goal and provided two assists in his first three matches. And now, he suddenly can't walk down the street normally anymore.
Things have indeed progressed rapidly for Samuel Mbangula, the 20-year-old winger who has quickly transitioned from a relatively unknown youth player to a rising star in Serie A. His journey has been marked by determination, a willingness to take risks, and an unwavering belief in his abilities.
Mbangula's football career began in Belgium, where he developed his skills in the youth academies of Club Brugge and Anderlecht, two of the country's most prestigious clubs. Despite his talent, he felt he wasn't receiving the trust and opportunities he needed to grow into the player he wanted to be. At just sixteen years old, he made a bold decision to move to Italy, seeking a new challenge and greater opportunities to prove himself. Juventus, one of Europe’s most storied clubs, offered him a unique chance, and Mbangula decided to take it, leaving behind his familiar life in Belgium.
Initially, Mbangula's time at Juventus was not particularly noteworthy. He played for the youth team, where his performance was modest, scoring only two goals in over twenty appearances. It seemed like his move might not bring the immediate success he had hoped for. However, everything changed when Thiago Motta, a former player known for his tactical insights and ability to nurture young talent, became the new first-team coach at Juventus. Motta saw something in Mbangula from the very beginning and decided to give him a chance during the preseason.
Mbangula seized this opportunity with both hands, impressing Motta and his teammates with his hard work, skill, and determination. He didn't expect to make such a strong impression so quickly, but he wanted to prove to the coach that he could be a valuable member of the team. His efforts paid off when he was surprisingly given a starting spot in Juventus's first league match of the season against Como. In this game, Mbangula was a revelation, tormenting left-back Marco Sala with his dribbling and demonstrating his effectiveness by contributing a goal and an assist on his debut. He followed this up with another assist in the next match, quickly becoming a player that all of football-loving Italy began to take notice of.
In a matter of weeks, Mbangula's profile skyrocketed. He went from being a relatively unknown youth player to a public figure who graced the cover of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy's leading sports newspaper, and was a topic of discussion on various football-related television programs. Mbangula himself reflected on this rapid rise to fame, noting how, until recently, no one recognized him. Now, he can't walk down the street without being noticed, but he doesn't mind the attention. He's happy to sign autographs and take photos with fans, especially young children, whom he sees as part of his growing support base.
Mbangula's journey is also inspired by his idols. He cites Vinícius Júnior, Eden Hazard, and especially Neymar as his role models, players whose skills and style of play have profoundly influenced him. Neymar, in particular, is the one who made Mbangula fall in love with football, inspiring him with his dribbling and flair. In terms of professionalism and work ethic, Mbangula looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo. When he first arrived at Juventus, Ronaldo was still playing for the club, and Mbangula was fortunate enough to meet him briefly in Turin while working as a ball boy. For Mbangula, if he can achieve even a fraction of what Ronaldo has accomplished in his career, he would consider it a success.
Mbangula's story is a testament to the power of self-belief, hard work, and seizing opportunities when they arise. From his early days in Belgium to his rapid rise in Italy, he has shown that with determination and the right mindset, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve great things in the world of football.
