Manuel Akanji grew up near Winterthur in Switzerland and began his career there before moving to Basel. Borussia Dortmund signed him in 2018, and he spent four and a half seasons in the Bundesliga.
Manchester City signed him in 2022 for around £15 million, and he became one of the most useful players in the treble-winning season, playing at centre-back, full-back and even in midfield. He won the Champions League in 2023 and two Premier League titles.
Akanji joined Inter in 2025, first on loan and then permanently. He is an intelligent, calm defender and a leader for Switzerland.
Playing style
Akanji is an intelligent, versatile defender. He is quick, strong and comfortable with the ball, able to play at centre-back, right-back or even defensive midfield, as he did at times for Manchester City. His reading of the game allows him to anticipate danger and make interceptions rather than last-ditch tackles. He is calm under pressure and a reliable passer, which suited Guardiola’s possession game. At Inter he has provided experience and tactical flexibility to a defence that often plays with three centre-backs.
International career
Akanji made his Switzerland debut in 2017 and has won more than 70 caps. He has played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, where Switzerland reached the quarter-finals. He is one of the leaders of the national team.
Career in numbers
Across 14 seasons of senior club football, beginning in 2013/14, Akanji has played 439 matches and scored 19 goals for 5 clubs. His best scoring return came in 2016/17: 5 goals in 18 appearances for FC Basel. His busiest campaign was 2023/24, with 48 appearances. So far in 2026/27 he has made 5 appearances for Inter Milan. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.