Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Michel-Ange Sumaï N'Koyi Limpata Balikwisha is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Premiership side Celtic. Born in Belgium, he plays for the DR Congo national team.
Club career
Balikwisha made his professional debut for Standard Liège on 20 September 2020 in a Belgian First Division A game against KV Kortrijk.Royal Antwerp
On 4 July 2021, Balikwisha joined Royal Antwerp on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.He was part of the squad that won a domestic double during the 2022–23 season, including the club's first league title in 66 years.
On 23 July 2023, Balikwisha scored a goal in the Belgian Super Cup against Mechelen. Antwerp would win on penalties to claim the trophy for the first time in their history.
On 30 August 2023, he helped the club secure a spot in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever, by scoring a goal in the second leg of their 3–1 aggregate victory over AEK Athens in the play-off round. He scored in Antwerp's first home match in the Champions League proper on 4 October, putting his side 2–0 up against Shakhtar Donetsk, but would squander the lead and fall to a 2–3 defeat.
Celtic
In July 2024, Scottish club Celtic approached Royal Antwerp to sign Balikwisha. Celtic made a second attempt to sign him on 20 August 2025 and, although the player agreed personal terms, it was reported that internal issues at his club were preventing the move from happening.Celtic finally completed the signing of Balikwisha on 28 August 2025, on a five-year contract. Balikwisha made his debut for the club three days later against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
International career
Born in Belgium, Balikwisha is of DR Congolese descent. He was a youth international for Belgium.On 1 November 2025, Balikwisha received his first call-up to the DR Congo national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs. His request to switch international allegiance to the DR Congo was approved by FIFA on 11 November and he made his debut in the World Cup playoff against Nigeria, scoring in a penalty shootout that helped the Leopards progress to the Intercontinental playoffs.