Cédric Bakambu
{{Short description|Congolese footballer (born 1991)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Cédric Bakambu
| image = Cédric Bakambu 2016 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bakambu in 2016
| full_name = Cédric Bakambu{{cite web |url=http://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30&kisiId=1727439 |title=Cedric Bakambu |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=8 September 2019 |language=tr}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|4|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| currentclub = Betis
| clubnumber = 11
| youthyears1 = 2000–2006
| youthclubs1 = Ivry
| youthyears2 = 2006–2010
| youthclubs2 = Sochaux
| years1 = 2010–2014
| clubs1 = Sochaux
| caps1 = 94
| goals1 = 18
| years2 = 2010–2014
| clubs2 = Sochaux II
| caps2 = 28
| goals2 = 15
| years3 = 2014–2015
| clubs3 = Bursaspor
| caps3 = 27
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2015–2018
| clubs4 = Villarreal
| caps4 = 75
| goals4 = 32
| years5 = 2018–2022
| clubs5 = Beijing Guoan
| caps5 = 71
| goals5 = 48
| years6 = 2022
| clubs6 = Marseille
| caps6 = 15
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2022–2023
| clubs7 = Olympiacos
| caps7 = 32
| goals7 = 18
| years8 = 2023
| clubs8 = Al-Nasr
| caps8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023–2024
| clubs9 = Galatasaray
| caps9 = 10
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Betis
| caps10 = 25
| goals10 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2009
| nationalteam1 = France U18
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam2 = France U19
| nationalcaps2 = 16
| nationalgoals2 = 4
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam3 = France U20
| nationalcaps3 = 17
| nationalgoals3 = 3
| nationalyears4 = 2015–
| nationalteam4 = DR Congo
| nationalcaps4 = 56
| nationalgoals4 = 16
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|FRA}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2010 France|}}
| club-update = 23:22, 13 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:11, 25 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Cédric Bakambu (born 11 April 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for La Liga club Real Betis and the DR Congo national team.
Bakambu made his professional debut for Sochaux in 2010, and played 107 official games for them over five seasons, scoring 21 goals. He then moved to Bursaspor for €1.8 million, finishing as top scorer as his team came runners-up in the Turkish Cup, before signing for Villarreal a year later.
Born in France, Bakambu represented them internationally at youth level up to the under-20s, scoring eight goals in 38 games and winning the 2010 UEFA European Championship for the under-19s.
In 2015, Bakambu made his senior debut for the DR Congo national team.
Club career
=Sochaux=
Born in Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Bakambu began his career at local Ivry at the age of 10 before transferring to Sochaux four years later.
On 1 May 2010, Bakambu played in the 2010 Coupe Gambardella Final and scored a goal for his team at the Stade de France. Sochaux, however, lost the match 4–3 on penalties.{{cite news | url = http://www.fff.fr/compint/65427/match/65434.shtml | title = Sochaux v. Metz Match Report | date = 1 May 2010 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 2 August 2010 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100706193046/http://www.fff.fr/compint/65427/match/65434.shtml | archive-date = 6 July 2010 | url-status = dead }} He had previously scored a double in the team's 4–3 aggregate semi-final victory over Metz.{{cite news | url = http://www.topmercato.com/15878,1/rencontre-avec-cedric-bakambu-mon-objectif-la-ligue-1.html | title = Rencontre avec... Cédric Bakambu : "mon objectif, la Ligue 1" |trans-title=Meeting with... Cédric Bakambu: "my objective, Ligue 1"| date = 13 July 2010| work = Top Mercato | access-date = 2 August 2010| language = fr}}
Bakambu made his professional debut on 7 August 2010 in Sochaux's opening match of the Ligue 1 season against Arles-Avignon, appearing as an 83rd-minute substitute for Modibo Maïga in a 2–1 win at the Stade Auguste Bonal.{{cite news | url = http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2010/2011&code_evt=D1&num_ordre=9&code_jr_tr=J01 | title = Sochaux v. Arles-Avignon Match Report | date = 7 August 2010 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 7 August 2010 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100614135752/http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2010%2F2011&code_evt=D1&num_ordre=9&code_jr_tr=J01 | archive-date = 14 June 2010 | url-status = dead }} The following month, he signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with the club until June 2013.{{cite news | url = http://www.fcsochaux.fr/fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2020&Itemid=106 | title = Trois signatures professionnelles | date = 2 September 2010 | work = FC Sochaux-Montbéliard | access-date = 2 September 2010 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100904072028/http://www.fcsochaux.fr/fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2020&Itemid=106 | archive-date = 4 September 2010 | url-status = dead }}
On 17 September 2011, Bakambu scored his first professional goal, the first equaliser in a 2–2 draw at Lille OSC, eleven minutes after replacing Carlāo.{{cite news|title=Lille accroché par Sochaux|trans-title=Lille held by Sochaux|url=http://www.rtl.fr/sport/football/ligue-1-6eme-journee-lille-accroche-par-sochaux-7718740369|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=RTL|date=17 September 2011|language=fr|archive-date=29 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129111916/https://www.rtl.fr/sport/football/ligue-1-6eme-journee-lille-accroche-par-sochaux-7718740369|url-status=dead}} A year and nine days later, as a 66th-minute replacement for King Osanga, he scored twice in a 3–2 extra-time home win over Evian in the third round of the Coupe de la Ligue.{{cite news|title=Sochaux-Evian Thonon : 3-2|url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/coupe-de-la-ligue/2012-2013/sochaux-evian-3-2_sto3437964/story.shtml|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Eurosport|date=26 September 2012|language=fr}}
Bakambu scored seven goals in 31 appearances over the 2013–14 Ligue 1 season, in which Sochaux were relegated; this included two on 21 December in a 2–1 home win over Rennes.{{cite news|title=BAKAMBU CLINCHES PRECIOUS WIN FOR SOCHAUX|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/bakambu-clinches-precious-win-for-sochaux.htm|access-date=20 March 2016|date=21 December 2013}} Across the campaign, he was placed on the right wing by manager Hervé Renard until he would become sufficiently mentally mature for a centre-forward role.{{cite news|title=RISING STAR: CÉDRIC BAKAMBU|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/rising-star-cedric-bakambu.htm|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Ligue 1|date=29 January 2014}} On 23 March, he was sent off for handball in a 2–1 loss at Saint-Étienne.{{cite news|last1=Maussion|first1=Florian|title=L'ASSE bat Sochaux et flirte de nouveau avec le podium|url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/ligue-1/2013-2014/as-saint-etienne-fc-sochaux_mtc616446/live.shtml#review|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Eurosport|date=24 March 2014|language=fr}}
=Bursaspor=
On 1 September 2014, Bakambu left France for the first time, moving on a four-year transfer to Turkey's Bursaspor for a fee of €1.8 million and an annual salary of €800,000.{{cite news|title=Bakambu Bursaspor'a transfer oldu|trans-title=Bakambu transferred to Bursaspor|url=http://tr.eurosport.com/futbol/super-lig/2014-2015/bakambu-bursaspor-a-transfer-oldu_sto4384252/story.shtml|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Eurosport|date=1 September 2014|language=tr}} He made his debut in the Süper Lig twelve days later, replacing Ozan İpek in the 55th minute of a 2–1 win at Gençlerbirliği. His first goals for the "Green Crocodiles" came on 19 October, in either half of a 2–2 draw against Eskişehirspor at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium, and six days later he scored a first professional hat-trick in a 5–0 win at Balıkesirspor.{{cite news|title=Balıkesirspor 0 - 5 Bursaspor|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/balikesirspor-0-5-bursaspor-27458252|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Hurriyet|date=25 October 2014|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027133133/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/balikesirspor-0-5-bursaspor-27458252|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}} He finished his only league season in Bursa with 13 goals in 27 games.
In that season's domestic cup, Bakambu was the top scorer with eight goals in 12 games as his team reached the final before a 3–2 home loss to Galatasaray. This tally included trebles in a 5–0 win at Mersin İdmanyurdu on 27 January and a 3–0 victory over Fatih Karagümrük nine days later, both in the group stage.{{cite news|title=Bursaspor Karagümrük'ü Bakambu'yla Geçti|url=http://www.haberler.com/bursaspor-karagumruk-u-bakambu-yla-gecti-6938821-haberi/|access-date=20 March 2016|agency=Eurosport|publisher=Haberler|date=5 February 2015|language=tr}} As Galatasaray won the double, Bursaspor faced them in the 2015 Turkish Super Cup on 8 August, with Bakambu playing the whole of the 1–0 loss.{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Anadolu |date=9 August 2015 |title=Galatasaray crowned 2015 Turkish Super Cup winner |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/football/2015/08/09/galatasaray-crowned-2015-turkish-super-cup-winner |access-date=18 January 2024 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}}
=Villarreal=
On 19 August 2015, Spanish side Villarreal announced the signing of Bakambu on a five-year contract.{{cite web|title=El Villarreal CF ficha a Cédric Bakambu|trans-title=Villarreal CF signs Cédric Bakambu|url=http://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/portada-ultimas-novedades/item/10417-el-villarreal-cf-ficha-a-cedric-bakambu|website=villarrealcf.es|publisher=Villarreal CF|access-date=19 August 2015|language=es|date=19 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912220701/http://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/portada-ultimas-novedades/item/10417-el-villarreal-cf-ficha-a-cedric-bakambu|archive-date=12 September 2015}} He made his La Liga debut four days later, replacing Léo Baptistão in the 61st minute of a 1–1 draw at Real Betis in the first game of the season; on the 28th he came on for the same player and scored two goals in the closing minutes of the fixture against Espanyol at Estadio El Madrigal, to secure a 3–1 victory for the "Yellow Submarine".{{cite news|title=Cedric Bakambu scores twice to lift Villarreal over Espanyol|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/08/28/villarreal-espanyol-la-liga-results-cedric-bakambu|access-date=13 December 2015|work=Sports Illustrated|date=28 August 2015}}
Bakambu played his first game in European competition on 17 September, again as a substitute in a 2–1 loss at Rapid Wien in the group stage of that season's UEFA Europa League. On 22 October, he scored his first goals in the tournament, a first-half double in a 4–0 home win over Dinamo Minsk;{{cite news|title=Bakambu at double as Villarreal beat Dinamo|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0226-0e923f258881-83ecd93e87ff-1000--bakambu-at-double-as-villarreal-beat-dinamo/|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=UEFA|date=22 October 2015}} he added another two the following 10 March against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the last 16 (2–0 win, same aggregate).{{cite news|title=Villarreal 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0: Bakambu at the double|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villarreal-2-bayer-leverkusen-0-bakambu-double#:MrN7u3aYAdp8RA|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027231423/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villarreal-2-bayer-leverkusen-0-bakambu-double#:MrN7u3aYAdp8RA|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}} In the quarter-finals, he scored twice in each leg of a 6–3 aggregate win over Sparta Prague.{{cite news|last1=Lancaster|first1=Rob|title=Sparta Prague 2-4 Villarreal (agg 3-6): Bakambu shines again as Yellow Submarine sail through|url=http://www.goal.com/en-au/match/sparta-praha-vs-villarreal/2220721/report?ICID=MP_MS_5|access-date=14 April 2016|publisher=Goal.com|date=14 April 2016}} He was one of four strikers named in the competition's Squad of the Season, and his nine goals put him only one behind the top scorer, Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz.{{cite news|title=Statistics|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/statistics/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626000642/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/statistics/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2015|access-date=22 May 2016|publisher=UEFA}}
On 1 October 2017, Bakambu scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 home win over Eibar.{{cite news|title=Bakambu's hat-trick powers Villarreal to victory|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/bakambus-hat-trick-leads-villarreal-past-eibar/9zvf4n801lvx1v4wlv7i24ngb|access-date=28 November 2017|publisher=Goal.com|date=1 October 2017}} He then scored two goals in a 2–1 win at Girona and another in a 4–0 win over Las Palmas to be named La Liga Player of the Month, the first African to win the award.{{cite news|last1=Okeleji|first1=Oluwashina|title=Cedric Bakambu scores after becoming the first African to win Spanish award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42137573|access-date=28 November 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2017}}
In early January 2018, Villarreal manager Javier Calleja said that Bakambu was going through a transfer to Beijing Sinobo GuoanIn March 2021, Beijing Sinobo Guoan changed its name to Beijing Guoan. of the Chinese Super League.{{cite news|title=DR Congo's Bakambu close to China move|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42555791|access-date=12 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 January 2018}} On 17 January 2018, Bakambu rescinded his contract with Villarreal.{{cite news|title=Comunicado oficial - Cédric Bakambu deja de ser jugador del Villarreal CF|url=https://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/indice-general/noticias-generales/item/19878-comunicado-oficial|access-date=17 January 2018|publisher=Villarreal CF|date=17 January 2018|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118035915/https://www.villarrealcf.es/noticias/indice-general/noticias-generales/item/19878-comunicado-oficial|archive-date=18 January 2018|url-status=dead}} Two weeks later, however, Beijing Guoan still had not announced the signing of Bakambu who had already played and scored for the club. It was reported that Beijing Guoan were trying to avoid paying a 100 percent tax placed on incoming transfers worth over 45 million yuan (US$7 million) by the Chinese Football Association.{{cite news|title=Chinese Football Association risks 'losing control' if Cedric Bakambu transfer tax controversy is swept under the rug|url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2131240/chinese-football-association-risks-losing-control-if-cedric-bakambu|access-date=1 February 2018|work=South China Morning Post|date=30 January 2018}} The transfer went through in time for the start of the Chinese season with the full fees being paid.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/3402213/cedric-bakambu-wraps-up-protracted-beijing-sinobo-guoan-transfer?src=com|title=Bakambu wraps up Beijing Guoan move|work=ESPN.com|access-date=6 April 2018}}
=Beijing Guoan=
On 28 February 2018, the final day of the Chinese transfer window, Bakambu's protracted transfer from Villarreal to Beijing Sinobo Guoan was finally confirmed with the club paid his €40million release clause, but Beijing did not announce the Congolese forward's signing amid confusion over whether they had to pay a 100 per cent levy on the transfer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3402213/cedric-bakambu-wraps-up-protracted-beijing-sinobo-guoan-transfer|title=Bakambu wraps up Beijing Guoan move|date=March 2018}}
He scored his first goal in China in his second game, in a 2–1 win over Jiangsu Suning.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/chinese-super-league/story/3415531/cedric-bakambus-first-csl-goal-earns-victory-for-beijing-guoan?src=com|title=CSL: Bakambu earns win for Beijing Guoan|work=ESPN.com|access-date=6 April 2018}} He won the Chinese FA Cup in his first season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46420568|title=Cedric Bakambu: DR Congo striker says Chinese Cup win caps 'amazing season'|website=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=2 December 2018|access-date=5 April 2020}}
= Marseille =
On 13 January 2022, Bakambu signed for French club Marseille on a contract until 30 June 2024.{{Cite web|date=13 January 2022|title=Cédric Bakambu est Olympien !|trans-title=Cédric Bakambu is Olympian!|url=https://www.om.fr/fr/actualites/4803/equipe-pro/59497-cedric-bakambu-est-olympien|url-status=live|access-date=13 January 2022|publisher=Olympique de Marseille|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113142958/https://www.om.fr/fr/actualites/4803/equipe-pro/59497-cedric-bakambu-est-olympien |archive-date=13 January 2022 }} He scored in his first appearance for the club, after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Lens.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
=Olympiacos=
On 16 September 2022, Bakambu signed for Greek club Olympiacos on a contract until 30 June 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympiacos.org/en/2022/09/16/olympiacos-signs-cedric-bakambu/|title=Olympiacos signs Cédric Bakambu|access-date=16 September 2022|date=16 September 2022|publisher=Olympiacos F.C.}}
=Al-Nasr=
On 29 June 2023, UAE Pro League club Al-Nasr announced that Bakambu had signed a two-year contract with the club.{{cite news|url=https://footrdc.com/mercato/mercato-cedric-bakambu-signe-a-al-nasr-officiel/|title=Mercato : Cédric Bakambu signe à Al Nasr (Officiel)|website=Foot RDC|language=fr|date=29 June 2023|access-date=29 June 2023}}
=Galatasaray=
On 22 July 2023, it was announced by Turkish club Galatasaray that negotiations with its club Al-Nasr for an agreement were started.{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/gs-sportif-a-s/cedric-bakambunun-transferi-konusunda-gorusmelere-baslandi/53589|title=Cedric Bakambu'nun transferi konusunda görüşmelere başlandı|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=22 July 2023|access-date=22 July 2023|language=tr}} A day later, Bakambu transferred to Süper Lig club Galatasaray on a permanent basis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/galatasaray-a-hos-geldin-cedric-bakambu/53597|title=Galatasaray’a hoş geldin Cédric Bakambu!|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}} He signed a two-year contract for a €700,000 fee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/futbol/cedric-bakambu-galatasarayda/53596|title=Cédric Bakambu Galatasaray'da!|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}} On 2 August, he made his debut in a Champions League qualifying match against Žalgiris Vilnius.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/672135 |title=Galatasaray 1–0 Žalgiris Vilnius |publisher=ESPN |date=2 August 2023 }} On 8 November, he scored his first Champions League goal in the 93rd minute of stoppage time in a 2–1 away defeat against Bayern Munich.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67363040 |title=Bayern Munich 2–1 Galatasaray |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2023 }}
=Betis=
On 1 February 2024, Bakambu signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Real Betis.{{cite web|url=https://www.realbetisbalompie.es/noticias/actualidad/cedric-bakambu-nuevo-jugador-del-real-betis-29851|title=Cédric Bakambu, nuevo jugador del Real Betis|trans-title=Cédric Bakambu, new player of Real Betis|publisher=Real Betis|language=es|date=1 February 2024|accessdate=2 February 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/gs-sportif-a-s/cedric-bakambunun-real-betise-transferi-hakkinda/54880|title=Cédric Bakambu'nun, Real Betis'e transferi hakkında|publisher=Galatasaray S.K.|date=2 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}}
International career
Bakambu was a French youth international and has represented the country at both under-18 and under-19 level. He was a part of the team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship on home soil. On 18 July, he scored twice in a 4–1 opening win over the Netherlands in Caen, and the 2–1 winner against Croatia in the semi-finals nine days later, also at the Stade Michel d'Ornano.{{cite news|title=Hosts France celebrate Caen success|url=http://www.uefa.com/under19/history/season=2010/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806182548/http://www.uefa.com/under19/history/season=2010/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2010|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=UEFA}} He was also part of the team that came fourth at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, opening a 2–0 win over Mali in the last group game in Cali.{{cite news|title=U20: Cameroon through as Mali out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14430925.app|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2011}}
In March 2015, he opted to represent DR Congo at senior level.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Bakambu94/status/576745234232700928|title=L'heure est Venue de Répondre Présent à ma Première Sélection chez Mes Léopards de la RDC|trans-title=The time has come to answer "Present" to my first call for my Leopards of the DRC|publisher=Twitter|author=Cédric Bakambu|language=fr}} On arrival in Kinshasa he was greeted by fans with banners of him, later reflecting "I hadn't even played a match yet they made banners for me. It's really something else. It was through football that I discovered my country."
He was first called up in June ahead of a friendly against Cameroon on the 9th,{{cite news|title=RDC : CÉDRIC BAKAMBU REJOINT LES LÉOPARDS|trans-title=DRC: CÉDRIC BAKAMBU JOINS LES LÉOPARDS|url=http://www.africatopsports.com/2015/06/07/rdc-cedric-bakambu-rejoint-les-leopards/|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=Africa Top Sports|date=7 June 2015|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027131425/http://www.africatopsports.com/2015/06/07/rdc-cedric-bakambu-rejoint-les-leopards/|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}} and started that match, a 1–1 draw at the Stade Charles Tondreau in Mons, Belgium.{{cite news|last1=Kaffa|first1=David|title=Eliminatoires CAN 2017: RDC et Cameroun se neutralisent en amical|trans-title=2017 ACN qualifiers: DRC and Cameroon cancel each other out in friendly|url=http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20150609-football-match-preparation-eliminatoires-can2017-rdc-congo-cameroun-mons/|access-date=20 March 2016|publisher=RFI|date=9 June 2015|language=fr}}
On 26 March the following year, Bakambu scored his first international goal, opening a 2–1 win over Angola at the Stade des Martyrs with a penalty, in qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite news|title=CAN 2017 : La RD Congo se relance contre l'Angola|trans-title=2017 ACN: DR Congo get back on track again against Angola|url=http://www.afrik-foot.com/can-2017-la-rd-congo-se-relance-contre-l-angola|access-date=8 April 2016|publisher=Afrik-Foot|date=26 March 2016|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130003/http://www.afrik-foot.com/can-2017-la-rd-congo-se-relance-contre-l-angola|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}} He added two more on 5 June, in a 6–1 win away to Madagascar.{{cite news|title=CAN 2017 : l'équipe de RD Congo est presqu'au Gabon|trans-title=ACN 2017: the DR Congo team is nearly in Gabon|url=http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20160605-can-2017-equipe-rdc-congo-est-presqu-gabon|access-date=5 June 2016|publisher=RFI|date=5 June 2016|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130957/http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20160605-can-2017-equipe-rdc-congo-est-presqu-gabon|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}} He was chosen in Florent Ibengé's squad for the final tournament in Gabon,{{cite news|title=DRC announce final squad for 2017 Afcon|url=https://africanfootball.com/news/677014/DRC-announce-final-squad-for-2017-AFCON|access-date=12 January 2018|publisher=African Football|date=8 January 2017}} and started in the opening group match, a 1–0 win over Morocco at the Stade d'Oyem. He then did not play again until a seven-minute run in the quarter-finals where the Congolese lost 2–1 to Ghana.{{cite news|title=DR Congo 1–2 Ghana|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38709183|access-date=12 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2017}}
On 24 March 2019, Bakambu returned to action for DR Congo after missing previous qualifiers vs. rivals Congo to injury. He started and scored the winner in a 1–0 victory against Liberia.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/03/24/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/congo-dr/liberia/2412045/|title=Congo DR vs. Liberia - 24 March 2019|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|date=24 March 2019|access-date=5 April 2020}} This secured The Leopards' qualification to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, at the expense of their opponents.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}
On 1 April 2022, following DR Congo's elimination from 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification at the hands of Morocco, Bakambu announced his retirement from the national team, a decision he later reversed.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/04/02/actualite/sport/football-les-adieux-de-cedric-bakambu-lequipe-nationale-de-la-rdc|title=Football : les adieux de Cédric Bakambu à l'équipe nationale de la RDC|trans-title=Football: Cédric Bakambu's farewell to the DRC national team|language=fr|website=Radio Okapi|date=2 April 2022|access-date=3 April 2022}}
On 17 January 2024, Bakambu assisted Brentford forward, Yoane Wissa for the equaliser in DR. Congo's 1-1 draw with Zambia in the opening round of group games at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.{{Cite news |title=Wissa on target as DR Congo and Zambia draw |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67931272 |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
Personal life
Born in France to parents from the DR Congo, Bakambu said "I grew up with both cultures and I am very proud of that. I think it's something that enriches you."
Bakambu and international teammate Dieumerci Mbokani were at Brussels Airport when it was struck by terror attacks in March 2016; both escaped unharmed.{{cite news|title=What makes Villarreal's Cédric Bakambu special|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/022c-0e93f8f4f48d-ec2f41c87a3c-1000--what-makes-villarreal-s-cedric-bakambu-special/|access-date=14 April 2016|publisher=UEFA|date=12 April 2016}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 17 April 2025}}{{cite web|title=C. Bakambu|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/cedric-bakambu/136141/|website=Soccerway|access-date=19 August 2015}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France, Turkish Cup, Copa del Rey, Greek Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de la Ligue}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|Sochaux
|rowspan="4"|Ligue 1 |9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | |||
| 2011–12
|21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 3 | |||
| 2012–13
|33 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 11 | |||
| 2013–14
|31 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 7 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!94 | 18 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 107 | 21 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Sochaux II
|rowspan="3"|Championnat National 2 |22 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 7 | |||||
| 2011–12
|5 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 4 | |||||
| 2013–14
|2|1 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 4 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 15 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 15 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Bursaspor
|rowspan="2"|Süper Lig |27 | 13 | 12 | 8 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 21 | ||||
| 2015–16
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Turkish Super Cup}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!27 | 13 | 12 | 8 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 40 | 21 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Villarreal
|rowspan="3"|La Liga |34 | 12 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 13{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 9 | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 22 | |||
| 2016–17
|26 | 11 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 12 | |||
| 2017–18
|15 | 9 | 1 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name=UEL}} | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 14 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!75 | 32 | 5 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 12 | colspan="2"|— | 105 | 48 | |||
| rowspan="5"|Beijing Guoan
|2018 |rowspan="4"|Chinese Super League |23 | 19 | 5 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 23 | ||||
| 2019
|16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=ACL|Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League}} | 3 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Chinese FA Super Cup}} | 0 | 26 | 16 | ||
| 2020
|19 | 14 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=ACL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 14 | |||
| 2021
|13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 5 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!71 | 48 | 8 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 87 | 58 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Marseille
|rowspan="2"|Ligue 1 |12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UECL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 4 | |||
| 2022–23
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 4 | |||
| Olympiacos
|32 | 18 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 18 | |||
| Galatasaray
|Süper Lig |10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Real Betis
|rowspan="2"|La Liga |4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=UECL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 2024–25
|21 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 11{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 10 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 8 | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 11 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!377 | 151 | 43 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 57 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 484 | 198 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{NFT player|59433|access-date=}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="11"|DR Congo
|2015 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 56 | 16 |
|---|
:Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bakambu goal.
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center"|1 | 26 March 2016 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|ANG}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|2–1 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|2 | rowspan="2"|5 June 2016 | rowspan="2"|Rabemananjara Stadium, Mahajanga, Madagascar | rowspan="2"|{{fb|MAD}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6–1 | rowspan="2"|2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|3 | style="text-align:center"|5–0 | |||||
| style="text-align:center"|4 | rowspan="2"|10 June 2017 | rowspan="2"|Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | rowspan="2"|{{fb|CGO}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–1 | rowspan="2"|2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|5 | style="text-align:center"|2–1 | |||||
| style="text-align:center"|6 | 1 September 2017 | Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès, Tunisia | {{fb|TUN}} | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | style="text-align:center"|1–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|7 | 7 October 2017 | Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet, Monastir, Tunisia | {{fb|LBY}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|8 | 24 March 2019 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|LBR}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|9 | rowspan=2 | 30 June 2019 | rowspan=2 | 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | rowspan=2 | {{fb|ZIM}} | style="text-align:center"|2–0 | rowspan=2 style="text-align:center"|4–0 | rowspan=2 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| style="text-align:center"|10 | style="text-align:center"|3–0 | |||||
| style="text-align:center"|11 | 7 July 2019 | Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | {{fb|MAD}} | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | style="text-align:center"|2–2 {{aet}} | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| style="text-align:center"|12 | 10 October 2019 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | {{fb|ALG}} | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|13 | 18 November 2019 | Independence Stadium, Bakau, Gambia | {{fb|GAM}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|2–2 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|14 | 24 March 2023 | Stade TP Mazembe, Lubumbashi, DR Congo | {{fb|MTN}} | style="text-align:center"|2–0 | style="text-align:center"|3–1 | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|15 | 28 March 2023 | Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya, Nouakchott, Mauritania | {{fb|MTN}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|16 | 13 October 2023 | Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain | {{fb|NZL}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Bursaspor
- Turkish Cup runner-up: 2014–15
Beijing Guoan
- Chinese FA Cup: 2018{{cite news|url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/cfacup/2018-11-30/doc-ihmutuec5131375.shtml|title=足协杯-比埃拉建功张稀哲斩杀 国安客场2-2夺冠|publisher=sports.sina.com.cn|date=30 November 2018|access-date=13 August 2019}}
France U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2010{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
Individual
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2010{{Cite journal |last=Cribb |first=Phillip |date=1996 |title=A New Name for a Moluccan Species of Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4119335 |journal=Kew Bulletin |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=380 |doi=10.2307/4119335 |jstor=4119335 |issn=0075-5974}}
- Turkish Cup Top scorer: 2014–15
- Facebook FA La Liga Best Breakthrough: 2016{{Cite web |last=Rédaction |date=15 May 2016 |title=Bakambu révélation de l'année au Facebook Football Awards |url=https://www.leopardsfoot.com/bakambu-revelation-de-lannee-au-facebook-football-awards/ |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=LEOPARDSFOOT |language=fr-FR}}
- Villarreal Rookie of the Year: 2015–16{{Cite web |last1=Franch |first1=Victor |last2=Navarrete |first2=Adapted by Lucas |last3=@lucasnavarretem |date=9 April 2016 |title=Bakambu is Villarreal's rookie of the year |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2016/04/09/5708cdd446163fb02f8b45d4.html |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=MARCA English |language=en}}
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2015–16{{cite web|title=UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/022d-0e946a347208-55be5902368b-1000--uefa-europa-league-squad-of-the-season/|publisher=UEFA|date=20 May 2016}}
- La Liga Player of the Month: October 2017
- Chinese Super League Top scorer: 2020
- Super League Greece Player of the Month: January 2023{{Cite web |date=8 February 2023 |title=Stoiximan Player of the Month του Ιανουαρίου o Σεντρίκ Μπακαμπού |url=https://www.slgr.gr/el/article/stoiximan-player-of-the-month-tou-ianouariou-o-sentrik-mpakampou/ |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=Super League |language=el}}
- Super League Greece Top scorer: 2022–23
- Super League Greece Team of the Season: 2022–23{{Cite web |title=Βραβεία ΠΣΑΠΠ: Η κορυφαία 11άδα της χρονιάς, ισοψήφισαν για τη θέση του φορ οι Ιωαννίδης - Μπακαμπού (vid) {{!}} Gazzetta |url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/2278913/brabeia-psapp-i-koryfaia-11ada-tis-hronias-isopsifisan-gia-ti-thesi |access-date=27 November 2023 |website=www.gazzetta.gr |language=el}}
Records
- Beijing Guoan All-Time Top scorer{{Cite web |last1=Ol |first1=Eric |last2=er |title=Congolese Forward Cédric Bakambu Becomes Beijing Guoan's All-Time Scoring Leader |url=https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2020/09/29/congolese-forward-cedric-bakambu-becomes-beijing-guoans-all-time-scoring-leader/ |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=The China Global South Project |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.fcsochaux.fr/fr/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=56 Cédric Bakambu club profile]
- {{FFF player|9372-bakambu-cedric}}
- {{FFF male player|2308124775|archive=}}
- {{LFP}}
- {{Lequipe}}
- {{NFT player}}
- {{Soccerway}}
{{Real Betis squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = DR Congo squads
| bg = #007FFF
| fg = #F7D618
| bordercolor = #CE1021
| list =
{{DR Congo squad 2017 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DR Congo squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DR Congo squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Chinese Football Association Golden Boot awardee}}
{{Turkish Cup topscorers}}
{{Super League Greece top scorers}}
{{2022–23 Super League Greece Team of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bakambu, Cedric}}
Category:Footballers from Vitry-sur-Seine
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers
Category:French men's footballers
Category:France men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:FC Sochaux-Montbéliard players
Category:Bursaspor footballers
Category:Villarreal CF players
Category:Beijing Guoan F.C. players
Category:Olympique de Marseille players
Category:Olympiacos F.C. players
Category:Al-Nasr SC (Dubai) players
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Chinese Super League players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:2017 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in China
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in China
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates
Category:French sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent
Category:2016 Brussels bombings
Category:Black French sportspeople