DR Congo hopeful as Ezechiel Banzuzi leaves door open to international switch

RB Leipzig midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi has eased fears over his fitness after a knee injury initially sparked concern within the Democratic Republic of Congo football community ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The 20-year-old suffered the setback in Germany, prompting immediate questions over the seriousness of the problem and his potential availability for the remainder of the season.

However, his club moved quickly to calm concerns, issuing a statement on Tuesday confirming that the injury is not considered serious.

RB Leipzig indicated that Banzuzi is expected to return to action sooner than first feared, a development that has relieved both the club and observers following his progress.

The update effectively removes early doubts about a lengthy absence and strengthens expectations that he will remain available for the closing stages of the campaign.

While his recovery has brought reassurance, attention around Banzuzi continues to extend beyond club football due to his international future.

The midfielder’s situation has been closely followed in both the Netherlands and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting his eligibility for both nations.

Earlier in the year, Banzuzi was approached by the DR Congo U23 setup in March, but he opted instead to represent the Netherlands at U23 level as part of his ongoing development pathway.

That decision added a new layer to the discussion surrounding his long-term international allegiance.

Despite his current involvement with the Dutch youth system, speculation has not diminished regarding a possible switch to the senior DR Congo national team.

His name continues to be widely discussed among Congolese supporters as a potential addition to the Leopards squad in the future.

In comments given to Tribunal Sport, Banzuzi himself appeared to leave the door open to a possible change, stating his willingness to consider representing DR Congo at senior level.

Those remarks have further fuelled debate around his international future and raised questions over whether he could feature in Sébastien Desabre’s plans in the coming years.

For now, the focus remains on his recovery in Germany, with Leipzig optimistic about his return. Yet the uncertainty surrounding his national team commitment ensures that his situation will continue to attract attention on both sides.