Ngal’ayel Mukau – Profile & Rising Star
Born on 3 November 2004 in Mechelen, Belgium, Ngal’ayel Mukau is a dynamic midfielder of Belgian and DR Congo nationality . He stands around 1.86 m tall and plays primarily as a defensive midfielder, though his versatility allows him to slot into central or even attacking midfield roles .
Club Journey & Breakthrough
Mukau began his footballing journey at KV Mechelen, with a brief stint at Zulte Waregem before returning to his boyhood club . He made his senior debut in January 2023 and accumulated 35 appearances for Mechelen through the 2023–24 season .
In July 2024, Lille snapped him up with a four-year deal reportedly worth around €4 million, with potential add-ons of up to €1 million . Mukau quickly became a first-team regular, featuring in 22 Ligue 1 games and making eight Champions League appearances, where he scored two goals .
His standout moment came on 27 November 2024, when he bagged a brace against Bologna in the Champions League. That feat made him the youngest Lille player ever to score twice in a Champions League match .
International Career & Challenges
Originally capped for Belgium U18, Mukau later switched allegiance to the DR Congo. He featured for the DR Congo U20s in late 2023, and earned his senior debut on 16 November 2024, coming on during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier he faced controversy in June 2025 when the **DR Congo
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