Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Amrabat urges Netherlands to try to recruit Ezechiel Banzuzi
Nordin Amrabat wants the Netherlands to pursue Ezechiel Banzuzi, a 21-year-old midfielder at RB Leipzig.
Born in the Netherlands, Banzuzi also qualifies to play for DR Congo because of his family roots.
He played for Dutch youth teams, including Jong Oranje, before choosing an international career with Congo last month.
He made his debut for Congo in a friendly against Uganda, and also played in a second friendly.
Amrabat says those friendly appearances may leave Banzuzi able to switch to the Netherlands, though this is his assessment.
He is urging KNVB director Nigel de Jong to contact Banzuzi and try to persuade him.
Amrabat believes a conversation involving De Jong and coach Xavi could make an impression, but no approach or change of international team is reported.
Nordin Amrabat has urged Netherlands football director Nigel de Jong to contact Ezechiel Banzuzi about representing the Netherlands.
Banzuzi, a 21-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder born in Zwijndrecht, recently chose to play internationally for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Amrabat says Banzuzi has played only friendlies for Congo and could in principle still switch to the Netherlands.
Banzuzi made his Congo debut against Uganda on 2 October, in a match Congo lost 2-0.
Amrabat said a conversation with De Jong and Xavi could make an impression on Banzuzi.
- Who
- Nordin Amrabat urged Nigel de Jong to approach Ezechiel Banzuzi.
- What
- Amrabat wants Banzuzi to consider representing the Netherlands instead of DR Congo.
- When
- Amrabat made the appeal before a Champions League match between RB Leipzig and PSV, reported on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made on Ziggo Sport. Banzuzi was born in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands.
- Why
- Amrabat said Banzuzi had played only friendly matches for Congo and could in principle switch to the Netherlands.
Nordin Amrabat
Ezechiel Banzuzi
International future
Nordin Amrabat
Amrabat urged the Netherlands to contact Banzuzi and try to persuade him to represent the Netherlands.
Ezechiel Banzuzi
Banzuzi recently chose an international career with DR Congo.
Banzuzi said he wanted to focus fully on Jong Oranje after Congo invited him.
Banzuzi chose an international future with DR Congo.
Banzuzi made his Congo debut against Uganda, and Congo lost 0-2.
Banzuzi played in a second friendly against Uganda, which ended 1-1.
Amrabat urged De Jong to contact Banzuzi before RB Leipzig's Champions League match against PSV.
- Age
- 21
- Club
- RB Leipzig
- Birthplace
- Zwijndrecht, Netherlands
- Congo debut
- 2 October 2026, against Uganda
- First Uganda friendly result
- Congo lost 0-2
- Second Uganda friendly result
- 1-1
3 sources
What people are saying
In principle he could still switch to the Netherlands.
Nigel has just signed for four years, so he can get started tomorrow.
But if De Jong and Xavi talk to him, that will make an impression.