Simon Banza #23

Profile

Twenty-three goals in Portugal. Twenty-two in Turkey the following season. Banza’s scoring record suggests he probably deserved a bigger spotlight. Instead, the former Lens academy striker is now in the United Arab Emirates, quietly turning chances into goals wherever he goes. A hard-working centre-forward with intelligent movement and strong hold-up play, Banza has built his reputation on consistency at club level. Yet with DR Congo, things have been more complicated. Despite regular call-ups, he has scored only twice at the time of writing. He is also known for celebrating goals with the famous smile of the Joker – a direct reference to Joaquin Phoenix’s character. “It’s a film with a really beautiful and intelligent message,” he has said.

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