Interviews
Manuel Akanji Opens Up On Love Of AfroBeats And Names Favourite Artists
Alexa, play ‘Man of the Year’ by ScHoolboy Q, because this baller has won the moment already just 13 days into 2025. Our January cover star didn’t shy away from putting us on to his favourite artists when we headed to the Etihad Campus to chat all things fashion, AfroBeats and the album of 2024 with Pep Guardiola’s trusty centre-back.
Take notes people, these ones need to be added to the playlist immediately.
Akanji has been long been a fan of AfroBeats, often sharing his love of Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
“Burna Boy, Asake and Omah Lay,” he said when asked to name his top artists.
It was almost an instant reply from the Swiss defender, who went on to explain his musical taste further.
“When I was young, I listened to a lot of rap and hip-hop. Now, I still do but I mostly listen to Afrobeats. I’m always playing Lonely at the Top from Asake. There were some good songs on the new Asake album, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite.
“My favourite of 2024 was One of Wun by Gunna, it was really good.”
With so many footballers now killing it in the world of music, we’re looking at you Alex Iwobi, you may be wondering what an Akanji album would sound like.
If you hadn’t guessed already, he’d be making AfroBeat music if he hopped in the booth.
“I feel like you can listen to it all the time,” he explained. “That’s why I also don’t listen to as much rap and hip-hop anymore. I do before a match, but I feel like with AfroBeats you’ve got everything. I could put it on every day in the car or at home, even with my kids.”
Okay Akanji, you’ve put us on. About to go and make an AfroBeats playlist to last the whole of 2025.
When Manuel Akanji pulls up to the Etihad Campus there’s only one plan at the forefront of his mind, “prove them wrong.” This may seem like an easy feat for a player who’s already lifted six pieces of silverware, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, in just three years at Manchester City – but Akanji’s humble nature keeps his feet firmly on the ground while his dreams soar.
Don’t be fooled by his modest persona, this centre-back oozes confidence. Whether it be his ability to defend City’s reign at the top of English football or his skill when it comes to styling striking outfits, there’s a reason this Swiss star is regarded as one of the best in the game.
“I definitely think footballers can dress,” our January cover star proclaims. “I think it’s changed a bit over the last few years. Before, footballers were just buying the most expensive fashion and brands, but I think it’s changed a lot.
Akanji’s style can be attributed to the amount of people he’s had the privilege of brushing shoulders with so far in his career. After leaving his boyhood club FC Winterthur in 2015 for Basel, he secured a move to Borussia Dortmund in 2018 before joining Pep Guardiola’s City side four years later.
Photography by Charlie Townsend
“I’ve seen a lot of different changing rooms, a lot of different people. What I love about football is it’s a lot of cultures coming together, it doesn’t matter what background you have, you’re there for the same goal, and you work together as a team, and I think that helped me a lot.
“I’m happy to pick up some new things when I see something that I like, especially on social media I think that’s where I see the most of the things. I just wear whatever I feel like and go by that flow.
“I don’t even really know what I was wearing at the start,” he continues. “But probably it was just easy to wear a track suit and stuff like this. You start to feel more comfortable and try something and then think maybe it looks nice, or you get a couple of compliments and actually think, this could be good.
“I don’t really care what the opinion is. If some people don’t like it, it’s just important that I like it and I can wear it with confidence.”
In the year of 2025, football and fashion have never been so intertwined. Fans eagerly await to see what their favourite ballers donned in the tunnel and keep a close eye on Instagram for any new drops or outfit dumps.
It’s no different inside the inner circle of City’s dressing room.
Photography by Charlie Townsend
“No one’s got like the same style as me,” Akanji admits. “But there’s some styles that I like, whatever people are wearing. Kyle Walker, he has a good style, he changes his stuff as well.”
But, outside of the Manchester squad, the defender praises the style of a certain Jadon Sancho.
“I played together with Sancho. I think he’s been always dressing really well. Over the last few years, he’s not been really been posting about it, but I know always when I see him or when we go out for dinner, he’s always dressing well.”
We feel you Akanji, please bless our feeds with more fashion in 2o25 Jadon!
When it comes to inspiration, however, Akanji knows the USA is where sports fashion is at it’s true peak.
“My favourite basketball player is Russell Westbrook. He was the first one that really put me on fashion. It started with him and then after Stefon Diggs from the NFL dresses really nice. Also, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – these are the guys I’d say.”
This baller clearly knows his fashion, but his passions don’t end there. A lover of Afrobeats, Akanji wasted no time when we asked him to put us on to his favourite artists.
Photography by Charlie Townsend
“Burna Boy, Asake and Omah Lay. I listen to Afrobeats the most, Lonely at the Top by Asake has to be up there. He’s more well-known now but I don’t think he’s where he should be.
“He’s doing unbelievable music. There’s some words in there that people don’t understand because it’s mixed with English, but I think he’s a really great artist.
“With Afrobeats,” he explains, “I feel like you can listen to it all the time. That’s why I also don’t listen to much rap and hip-hop anymore. With Afrobeats you’ve got everything. I could put it on every day in the car or at home or even with my kids.”
The mention of his family opens a new door for City’s number 25. With three children – a daughter and two sons – it’s no wonder Akanji strives to be the best version of himself every day.
“When you come home and see your kids smiling and wanting to play with you, you forget about things that happened before and remember the most important thing in life.
“My kids are the most important thing. I hope they have bright and healthy futures. Whatever they want to do, they should do it. The most important thing is that they’re happy in their life.”
Akanji looks to his arm when we ask him to detail the quote he lives by. It’s a simple answer, short and sweet but packed full of meaning.
“I have it tatted on me here, prove them wrong, I live by it.
“I want every day to be my best, otherwise it’s wasted.”
Watch our full interview with Manuel Akanji at Manchester City’s training ground here.
Photography: Charlie Townsend
Styling: Brian Gallo and Marcus Pancho
Videography: Ellie Wickes
