As a youngster, Manzambi played in goal, modeling himself on Germany’s Manuel Neuer.
Now he’s a creative midfielder who relishes driving forward.
His scoring burst against Bosnia-Herzegovina suggests he could be far more than a late-impact “super-sub” at this World Cup.
He broke into Freiburg’s starting XI last season, helping the German side reach the Europa League final.
Manzambi started the final against Aston Villa and, although Freiburg lost 3-0, he has since been linked with Napoli, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
His showing on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium indicates there may be even fiercer competition for his signature this summer.
It might have been even more memorable had he taken the 97th-minute penalty, which captain Granit Xhaka stepped up to convert instead.
Had Manzambi taken and scored it, he would have become the third-youngest player to register a World Cup hat-trick, behind 17-year-old Pelé in 1958 (Brazil v France, semi-final) and 19-year-old Edmund Conen in 1934 (Germany v Belgium).
Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea were all linked with him in March, and if he keeps influencing games like this, interest will only grow.
Speaking about Manzambi’s opener that put Switzerland 1-0 ahead, former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live: “A brilliant finish.”
“Switzerland needed to make changes; they had dominated possession but weren’t a real threat.”
“It’s a fantastic volley with great technique to give Switzerland the lead.”