Nigel de Jong must call Banzuzi to reverse the Oranje selection

FC Utrecht striker Nordin Amrabat has made an urgent appeal to technical director Nigel de Jong: he must convince Ezechiel Banzuzi, the 21‑year‑old midfielder of RB Leipzig, to choose the Dutch national team. Banzuzi, born in Zwijndrecht under the shadow of Rotterdam, has recently opted for an international career with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

International choices and earlier Dutch roots

Banzuzi played for Dutch youth teams for many years, including five matches for Jong the Oranje, and between 2024 and 2026 he made eleven appearances for the top Dutch under‑21 side. Despite that background, he chose definitively for Congo last month and debuted on 2 October in a friendly match against Uganda, in which Les Léopards lost 0‑2.

Amrabat’s argument and the role of the KNVB

Amrabat, who discussed the Champions League tie between Leipzig and PSV as an analyst, emphasized that Banzuzi has so far only played friendly matches for Congo, meaning he can still switch to the Netherlands in principle. He points out that Nigel de Jong has just signed a four‑year contract and can therefore act immediately.

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Presenter Hélène Hendriks asked whether De Jong’s efforts would be worthwhile, given Banzuzi’s recent choice for Congo. Amrabat replied that a conversation with both De Jong and coach Xavi would impress the young player.

According to Amrabat, the KNVB director has the possibility to approach Banzuzi, because the player is not yet definitively tied to Congo after only friendly appearances. A quick phone call from De Jong could, Amrabat says, immediately lead to a change in the international selection.

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Banzuzi faces PSV with RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, a match that will receive extra attention if a possible national‑team switch is underway.