Meschak Elia


Meschak Elia Lina is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Alanyaspor and the DR Congo national team. He received the best player award after him and his team's win in the 2016 African Nations Championship.
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Club career

In July 2019 it was announced that Elia would sign for Belgian First Division A club Anderlecht. He, however, disappeared and allegedly falsified his year of birth, which resulted in a 12-month ban by the Congolese Association Football Federation. In February 2020, FIFA "provisionally cleared" Elia to play again and he signed for Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys.
On 3 February 2025, Elia joined Nantes in France on loan with an option to buy.
On 12 September 2025, he transferred to Turkey, joining Alanyaspor in the Süper Lig on a three-year deal. He thus departs Young Boys after making exactly 200 appearances for the club, scoring 43 goals and supplying 39 assists.

Personal life

In December 2024 one of Elia's two sons died unexpectedly.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
117 January 2016Stade Huye, Butare, Rwanda3–03–02016 African Nations Championship
221 January 2016Stade Huye, Butare, Rwanda2–03–02016 African Nations Championship
37 February 2016Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda1–03–02016 African Nations Championship
47 February 2016Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda2–03–02016 African Nations Championship
526 March 2016Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo2–02–12017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
69 September 2018Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, Liberia1–11–12019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
727 September 2022Stade Père Jégo, Casablanca, Morocco3–03–0Friendly
828 January 2024Laurent Pokou Stadium, San-Pédro, Ivory Coast1–01–12023 Africa Cup of Nations
99 June 2024Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo1–01–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1015 October 2024Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania1–02–02025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1115 October 2024Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania2–02–02025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1216 November 2025Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco1–11–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

TP Mazembe
Young Boys
DR Congo