Théo Bongonda
{{short description|Congolese footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Bongonda|Mbul'Ofeko Batombo|lang=Congolese}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Théo Bongonda
| full_name = Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batombo
| image = Bongonda in DR Congo national football team.jpg
| caption = Bongonda with DR Congo in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Charleroi, Belgium
| height = 1.77m
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Spartak Moscow
| clubnumber = 77
| youthyears1 = 2008–2013
| youthclubs1 = JMG Academy
| youthyears2 = 2013
| youthclubs2 = Zulte-Waregem
| years1 = 2013–2014
| clubs1 = Zulte-Waregem
| caps1 = 33
| goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2015–2018
| clubs2 = Celta
| caps2 = 61
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2017–2018
| clubs3 = → Trabzonspor (loan)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2018
| clubs4 = → Zulte-Waregem (loan)
| caps4 = 11
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = Zulte-Waregem
| caps5 = 28
| goals5 = 8
| years6 = 2019–2022
| clubs6 = Genk
| caps6 = 91
| goals6 = 33
| years7 = 2022–2023
| clubs7 = Cádiz
| caps7 = 31
| goals7 = 4
| years8 = 2023–
| clubs8 = Spartak Moscow
| caps8 = 49
| goals8 = 14
| nationalyears1 = 2013–2014
| nationalteam1 = Belgium U19
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2014–2016
| nationalteam2 = Belgium U21
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2022–
| nationalteam3 = DR Congo
| nationalcaps3 = 27
| nationalgoals3 = 5
| club-update = 19 April 2025
| ntupdate = 21 March 2025
}}
Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batombo (born 20 November 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Russian club Spartak Moscow. Born in Belgium, he plays for the DR Congo national team.
Club career
=Zulte Waregem=
Born in Charleroi, Bongonda began his career in JMG Academy in 2008, aged 13. In January 2013, he joined Belgian Pro League team SV Zulte Waregem, initially assigned to the youth setup.{{cite web|url=http://sportmagazine.knack.be/sport/voetbal-nationaal/eerste-jmg-speler-boven-water-bij-zulte-waregem/article-normal-164775.html|title=Eerste JMG-speler boven water bij Zulte Waregem|trans-title=First JMG player above average at Zulte Waregem|publisher=Sport Voetbal Magazine|language=nl|date=20 August 2013|accessdate=11 January 2015}}
Bongonda made his professional debut on 25 September 2013, starting in a 2–1 away win against KFC VW Hamme, for the season's Belgian Cup.{{cite web|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_voetbal/2.29823/MG_BVB_16e_finales/1.1738305|title=Zulte Waregem ontsnapt bij Hamme|trans-title=Zulte Waregem escaped at Hamme|publisher=Sporza|language=nl|date=25 September 2013|accessdate=11 January 2015}} His league debut came on 15 December, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–0 home win against Lierse SK.{{cite web|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_voetbal/2.28512/speeldag19/1.1804562|title=Zulte Waregem spoelt Europese kater door|trans-title=Zulte Waregem washes through European hangover|publisher=Sporza|language=nl|date=15 December 2013|accessdate=11 January 2015}}
Bongonda scored his first professional goal on 15 January 2014, netting his side's first in a 2–3 away loss against Cercle Brugge KSV.{{cite web|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_voetbal/2.29823/MG_BVB_KF_terug/1.1833706|title=Zulte Waregem schaart zich met verlies bij laatste vier|trans-title=Zulte Waregem endorses with losses at final four|publisher=Sporza|language=nl|date=15 January 2014|accessdate=11 January 2015}} On 20 April 2014, he scored his first league goal, netting the first in a 3–2 away loss against KSC Lokeren.{{cite web|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_voetbal/2.28512/MG_speeldag_5_PO_I_II/1.1944037|title=Zulte Waregem laat eerste plek liggen in Lokeren|trans-title=Zulte Waregem laat eerste plek liggen in Lokeren|publisher=Sporza|language=nl|date=20 April 2014|accessdate=11 January 2015}}
=Celta Vigo=
On 9 January 2015, Bongonda signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with La Liga side Celta de Vigo.{{cite web|url=http://www.celtavigo.net/es/primer-equipo/noticias/8654-el-real-club-celta-se-refuerza-con-el-internacional-sub-21-belga-theo-bongonda|title=El Real Club Celta se refuerza con el internacional Sub-21 belga Théo Bongonda|trans-title=Real Club Celta de Vigo bolsters with under-21 Belgian international Théo Bongonda|publisher=Celta's official website|language=es|date=9 January 2015|accessdate=11 January 2015}} He made his debut in the competition on the 26th, coming on as a late substitute for Nemanja Radoja in a 2–1 away loss against Getafe CF.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2014_15/primera/jornada_20/get_cel/|title=El Getafe por fin canta victoria|trans-title=Getafe finally sings victory|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=3 February 2015}}
==Trabzonspor==
On 15 June 2017, Bongonda joined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.{{cite web|url=http://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20170616_02928029/theo-bongonda-ruilt-spanje-voor-turkije|title=El Real Club Celta se refuerza con el internacional Sub-21 belga Théo Bongonda|trans-title=Théo Bongonda swapping Spain for Turkey|publisher=Gazet Van Antwerpen|language=nl|date=16 June 2017|accessdate=16 June 2017}} He however ended up being on the bench more than on the pitch.
==Zulte Waregem==
During the winter transfer window of the 2017–18 season, Bongonda rejoined Zulte-Waregem on loan. On 4 July 2018, he joined Essevee permanently on a four-year contract, until 30 June 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.essevee.be/nl/team-essevee/nieuws/theo-bongonda-definitief-naar-essevee|title=Théo Bongonda definitief naar Essevee|website=ESSEVEE - SV Zulte Waregem|language=nl|access-date=5 July 2018}}
=Genk=
Bongonda joined fellow Belgian First Division A club Genk in summer 2019 for a club-record fee.{{cite web|url=https://belgianfootballanalysis.com/analysis/theo-bongonda-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics|title=Théo Bongonda 2019/20 – scout report|website=Belgian Football Analysis|date=4 September 2020|accessdate=31 July 2021}}
Bongonda scored the game winner for Genk against Standard Liège in the Belgian Cup Final on 25 April 2021.{{cite web|url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/croky-cup/2020-2021/finale/01/standard-krc-genk-ito-en-bongonda-schieten-racing-genk-naar-5e-beker-van-belgie~1602577261301/|title=Ito en Bongonda schieten Racing Genk naar 5e Beker van België|website=Sporza|date=25 April 2021|accessdate=31 July 2021|language=Dutch}}
On 23 July 2021, Bongonda scored Genk's first goal in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A season, securing a 1–1 draw against the same opponents.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/bongonda-rescues-onuachus-genk-from-defeat-in-first-division/wdhp4y7sml2p1jntjvooq4hft|title=Bongonda rescues Onuachu's Genk from defeat in First Division A opener against Standard Liege|website=Goal|date=23 July 2021|accessdate=31 July 2021}}
=Cádiz=
On 26 August 2022, Bongonda Edris returned to Spain after signing a four-year contract with Cádiz in the top tier.{{cite web|url=https://www.cadizcf.com/noticia/theo-bongonda-firma-cuatro-temporadas|title=Théo Bongonda firma cuatro temporadas|trans-title=Théo Bongonda signs for four seasons|publisher=Cádiz CF|language=es|date=26 August 2022|accessdate=26 August 2022}}
=Spartak Moscow=
In July 2023, Bongonda agreed to move to Russian club Spartak. The contract is calculated until 2026. It is alleged that Spartak paid Cadiz 10 million euros.{{Cite web|url=https://sportrbc.ru/news/64ae4e5f9a7947256eb928ce|title="Спартак" объявил о переходе нападающего из испанского клуба|language=ru|date=2023-07-12|website=Sportrbc.ru}}
International career
Bongonda was born in Belgium to a Congolese father and Belgian mother.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walfoot.be/news/2021-12-08/theo-bongonda-na-pas-peur-dun-changement-de-style--si-nous-pouvons-obtenir-des-resultats-avec-plus-de-discipline-alors-je-signe|title=Théo Bongonda n'a pas peur d'un changement de style : "Si nous pouvons obtenir des résultats avec plus de discipline, alors je signe"|date=8 December 2021|website=Walfoot.be}} He is a youth international for Belgium. In January 2022, Fifa accepted his eligibility join the DR Congo national team.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=250064058/profile/index.html |title=Théo Bongonda – UEFA.com |website=UEFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220072746/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=250064058/profile/index.html |archive-date=2013-12-20}} He debuted for the DR Congo national team in a 1–0 friendly loss to Bahrain on 1 February 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsofbahrain.com/sports/78432.html|title=Bahrain beat DR Congo in friendly | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN|website=DT News}}
On 27 December 2023, he was selected from the list of 24 Congolese players selected by Sébastien Desabre to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|access-date=29 December 2023 |date=27 December 2023 |publisher=Radio Okapi |title=Football : 24 Léopards sélectionnés sur les 27 attendus pour la CAN 2023 |url=https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/12/28/actualite/sport/football-24-leopards-selectionnes-sur-les-27-attendus-pour-la-can-2023 |website=radiookapi.net}}.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 19 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Théo Bongonda » Club matches |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/theo-bongonda/2/ |website=worldfootball.net }}{{soccerway|theo-bongonda/302900}}
| 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"|Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan=3|Zulte Waregem
|19 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | |
| 2014–15
|Belgian First Division A |14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| colspan=2|Total
!33||3||7||1||3||0||colspan="2"|—||43||5 | |||||||||
| rowspan=4|Celta Vigo
|8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 9 | 1 | |
| 2015–16
|La Liga |23 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 26 | 2 | |
| 2016–17
|La Liga |30 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2 |
| colspan=2|Total
!61||4||10||1||6||0||0||0||77||5 | |||||||||
| Trabzonspor (loan)
|3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 2 | |
| Zulte Waregem (loan)
|Belgian First Division A |11 | 5 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 5 | |
| Zulte Waregem
|Belgian First Division A |28 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 39 | 14 |
| rowspan="4"|Genk
|Belgian First Division A |22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 29 | 5 | |
| 2020–21
|Belgian First Division A |35 | 16 | 4 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 39 | 18 | ||
| 2021–22
|Belgian First Division A |34 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Belgian Super Cup}} | 1 | 35 | 13 |
| colspan=2|Total
!91||33||5||2||6||0||1||1||103||36 | |||||||||
| Cádiz
|La Liga |31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Spartak Moscow
|25 | 7 | 10 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 8 | ||
| 2024–25
|Russian Premier League |24 | 7 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 8 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 14 | 15 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 64 | 16 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!307||71||43||8||15||0||12||7||377||86 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played 21 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|DR Congo
|2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 27 | 5 |
Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 14 June 2023 | Stade de la Réunification, Douala, Cameroon | {{fb|UGA}} | align=center|1–0 | align=center|1–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 9 September 2023 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|SUD}} | align=center|1–0 | align=center|2–0 | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 3. | 15 November 2023 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|MTN}} | align=center|2–0 | align=center|2–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4. | 9 September 2024 | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | {{fb|ETH}} | align=center|1–0 | align=center|2–0 | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 5. | 21 March 2025 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|SSD}} | align=center|1–0 | align=center|1–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{BDFutbol|20004}}
- {{RBFA player|PH_6432}}
- {{Soccerway|theo-bongonda/302900}}
{{FC Spartak Moscow squad}}
{{DR Congo squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bongonda, Theo}}
Category:Footballers from Charleroi
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers
Category:Belgian men's footballers
Category:Belgium men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Belgium men's youth international footballers
Category:Belgian sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo people of Belgian descent
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:JMG Academy (Lier) players
Category:S.V. Zulte Waregem players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:RC Celta de Vigo players
Category:Trabzonspor footballers
Category:FC Spartak Moscow players
Category:Belgian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate men's footballers
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Russia
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 Russia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Black Belgian sportspeople
Category:21st-century Belgian sportsmen
Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo sportsmen