Manuel Akanji in 2026: Net worth and Salary, Parents, Wife, Religion, Origin and FAQs

Manuel Akanji has built a career around calm decisions. He is rarely the loudest defender on the pitch, but his positioning, passing and ability to understand danger have helped him succeed in Switzerland, Germany, England and Italy. He won the Champions League and a historic treble with Manchester City before moving to Inter, where he became an important part of a team that won the Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2025/26. His story also connects Switzerland and Nigeria. He was born and raised in Switzerland, represents the Swiss national team and remains proud of the Nigerian roots he inherited from his father. This 2026 profile looks at his estimated wealth, salary, parents, wife, religion, origin and the questions football fans frequently ask about him.

Manuel Akanji Profile 

Who is Manuel Akanji?

Manuel Akanji is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Inter Milan and the Switzerland national team. He is known for staying composed under pressure, reading the game early and passing accurately from defence.

Akanji was born in Wiesendangen in the canton of Zurich. His football journey began at FC Wiesendangen before he moved to FC Winterthur. He later joined Basel, where he won domestic trophies and gained Champions League experience.

Borussia Dortmund signed him in January 2018. His years in Germany helped him become a more complete defender, and Manchester City brought him to England in 2022. He quickly adapted to Pep Guardiola’s system and played an important role in the club’s treble-winning 2022/23 season.

In 2025, Akanji moved to Inter. He became a key defender during his first season in Italy, making 45 appearances as the club completed a Serie A and Coppa Italia double. By July 2026, Inter described him as a permanent Nerazzurri player.

Manuel Akanji Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Icon Polls estimates Manuel Akanji’s net worth in 2026 at between $32 million and $36 million. This is an editorial estimate based on his career earnings, contracts at major European clubs, performance bonuses, international appearances and commercial activity. His private financial records have not been released.

His estimated fixed gross salary at Inter for the 2026/27 season is about €6.94 million per year. That is approximately €133,000 per week before tax and bonuses. Salary figures in professional football are usually estimates unless the player or club publishes the contract.

Akanji has earned significant money during spells with Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Inter. His career also includes major trophy bonuses from winning league titles, domestic cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

His Inter contract runs until 30 June 2028. With two years remaining, he has financial security and remains a valuable senior defender for the club.

Manuel Akanji Parents

Manuel Akanji’s father is Abimbola Akanji, a Nigerian finance professional who also played football at amateur level. His mother is Isabel Akanji, a Swiss former tennis player. Their sporting and academic influence helped shape Manuel from childhood.

His father introduced him to football. Manuel watched Abimbola play and later tried to copy his movements in the family garden. His mother’s sporting background also meant that discipline and competition were normal parts of family life.

Akanji has spoken proudly about his Nigerian roots. His father’s homeland remains meaningful to him, and he has an eagle tattoo inspired by the Nigerian national symbol. At the same time, he grew up completely within Swiss society and football.

His parents also valued education. Akanji was a strong student and later trained in business-related studies while developing as a professional player. That balance between sport and learning became one of the most recognised parts of his personality.

Manuel Akanji Origin

Manuel Akanji has both Swiss and Nigerian roots. He was born in Switzerland to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. His nationality is Swiss, and he has represented Switzerland throughout his senior international career.

His Nigerian origin comes from his father, Abimbola. Akanji has never hidden that part of his identity. He has spoken positively about Nigeria and has used symbols connected to the country in his tattoos.

His full name, Manuel Obafemi Akanji, also reflects his Nigerian heritage. Obafemi is a Yoruba name, while Akanji is also associated with Yoruba culture. However, his upbringing, schooling and football development took place in Switzerland.

The clearest description is that he is a Swiss footballer of Nigerian descent. He belongs to both cultural backgrounds, but his international football country is Switzerland.

Manuel Akanji Wife and Children

Manuel Akanji is married to Melanie Akanji. The couple married in 2019 and have built a private family life alongside the demands of professional football.

They have three children. Their sons Aayden and Keeyan were born before the couple welcomed their third child. Akanji regularly describes fatherhood as one of the most important parts of his life.

In a 2026 UNICEF message, he explained that nothing matters more to him than seeing his three children grow up safe, healthy and loved. That statement showed the family values behind his public image.

Melanie generally stays away from unnecessary attention. She has appeared in family photographs and major life announcements, but the couple does not share every detail of their home life. Akanji has also said that having three children leaves him with little time to watch football away from his own matches.

Manuel Akanji Religion

Manuel Akanji has not clearly confirmed his religion in a reliable public statement. Some biography pages label him Christian or Muslim, but they rarely provide direct evidence from the player.

His first and middle names, family origin and cultural background do not prove a specific personal belief. Nigeria is religiously diverse, and Switzerland also includes people from many faith traditions.

Akanji speaks publicly about family, charity, education, football and social responsibility. He has supported UNICEF and has discussed helping children, but he has not made religious identity a central part of his public life.

The most accurate answer in 2026 is that Manuel Akanji’s religion is private or not publicly confirmed. A trustworthy biography should not present online assumptions as established fact.

Manuel Akanji Inter Career and Contract

Akanji joined Inter on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window after three successful seasons at Manchester City. His move initially placed him in Serie A with an agreement connected to a possible permanent stay.

He adapted quickly. During the 2025/26 season, he played 45 of Inter’s 52 matches and scored twice. His strength, calm passing and tactical intelligence helped the club win both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

By July 2026, Inter’s official player material described him as a Nerazzurri player, while his current contract was listed through 30 June 2028. His estimated salary also reflects a new Inter agreement beginning in July 2026.

Akanji wears number 25 and can play in the centre or on either side of a back three. His experience at Manchester City makes him comfortable in a possession-based team, while his pace allows Inter to defend higher up the pitch.

Manuel Akanji Height and Playing Style

Manuel Akanji stands 1.86 metres tall, which is about 6 feet 1 inch. He has enough height and strength to compete in aerial duels, but his game is based just as much on intelligence and technique.

He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and can pass with either foot. That makes him useful when a team wants to build attacks from the goalkeeper rather than clear the ball long.

Akanji is also quick across the ground. He can recover when an opponent runs behind the defence and can move into wide areas to cover a full-back. His versatility allowed him to play centre-back, right-back and occasionally left-back at Manchester City.

One of his best-known personal qualities is his ability with numbers. He has demonstrated impressive mental arithmetic in public interviews and challenges. That quick thinking also appears in the way he reads situations on the pitch.

Manuel Akanji Career Journey

Akanji began at FC Wiesendangen and later joined FC Winterthur. Basel signed him in 2015, but a serious knee injury interrupted his first season. He recovered and became an important player, winning two Swiss league titles and the Swiss Cup.

Borussia Dortmund brought him to the Bundesliga in January 2018. He made more than 150 appearances for the club and won the German Cup and Super Cup.

Manchester City signed him in September 2022. He arrived without the attention that surrounded some of the club’s more expensive signings, but quickly became one of Guardiola’s most trusted defenders. In his first season, City won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Akanji later added another Premier League title, the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. His move to Inter opened a new chapter, and his first season ended with an Italian domestic double.

For Switzerland, he has played at World Cups and European Championships. At the 2026 World Cup, he played every minute of Switzerland’s six matches.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manuel Akanji

1. How old is Manuel Akanji in 2026?

He is 31 years old. He was born on 19 July 1995.

2. What is Manuel Akanji’s net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates his net worth at between $32 million and $36 million.

3. What is Manuel Akanji’s salary at Inter?

His estimated fixed gross salary is about €6.94 million per year, excluding bonuses.

4. How much does Manuel Akanji earn per week?

He earns an estimated €133,000 gross per week before bonuses and tax.

5. Which club does Manuel Akanji play for?

He plays for Inter Milan in Serie A.

6. When does Manuel Akanji’s contract expire?

His Inter contract expires on 30 June 2028.

7. What shirt number does Manuel Akanji wear?

He wears number 25 for Inter.

8. How tall is Manuel Akanji?

He is 1.86 metres tall, which is about 6 feet 1 inch.

9. What position does Manuel Akanji play?

He mainly plays as a centre-back but can also cover either full-back position.

10. What nationality is Manuel Akanji?

He is Swiss and represents the Switzerland national team.

11. What is Manuel Akanji’s origin?

He was born in Switzerland to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother.

12. Who is Manuel Akanji’s father?

His father is Abimbola Akanji, a Nigerian finance professional and former amateur footballer.

13. Who is Manuel Akanji’s mother?

His mother is Isabel Akanji, a Swiss former tennis player.

14. Does Manuel Akanji have siblings?

Yes. He has sisters, including Sarah, who also played football.

15. Who is Manuel Akanji’s wife?

His wife is Melanie Akanji.

16. When did Manuel Akanji get married?

He married Melanie in 2019.

17. How many children does Manuel Akanji have?

He has three children.

18. What religion is Manuel Akanji?

His religion has not been reliably confirmed publicly.

19. Is Manuel Akanji Nigerian?

He is Swiss by nationality but has Nigerian heritage through his father.

20. Did Manuel Akanji play for Manchester City?

Yes. He played for Manchester City from 2022 and won the treble in his first season.

21. Did Manuel Akanji win the Champions League?

Yes. He won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City in 2023.

22. Did Manuel Akanji play for Borussia Dortmund?

Yes. He played for Dortmund from January 2018 until joining Manchester City in 2022.

23. Has Manuel Akanji played at the World Cup?

Yes. He has represented Switzerland at multiple World Cups, including the 2026 tournament.

24. What are Manuel Akanji’s main strengths?

His main strengths are positioning, pace, passing, versatility, calm decision making and tactical intelligence.

Manuel Akanji’s career has been shaped by intelligence, patience and adaptability. He recovered from a serious early injury, proved himself in Switzerland and Germany, won the biggest trophies in England and then became a leading defender in Italy. His family background connects Switzerland and Nigeria, while his wife and three children remain central to his life away from football. At 31, he still has the speed and technical quality required at the highest level. Icon Polls will continue to follow his Inter career, contract situation and performances for Switzerland.