PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Buduka Dylan Batubinsika |
| Date of Birth | 15/02/1996 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Cergy-Pontoise, France |
| Nationality | DR Congolese / French |
| Height | 1.84–1.88 m / 6 ft 0 in–6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 80–83 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #5 (DR Congo), #21 (Larissa) |
| Current Club | AEL Larissa |
| Previous Clubs | Paris Saint-Germain B, Antwerp, Famalicão, Maccabi Haifa (loan), Saint-Étienne |
| International Caps | 15+ |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €2.5M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented a historic milestone for DR Congo. The Leopards had qualified for their first World Cup finals since 1974, and for Dylan Batubinsika, the 30-year-old centre-back from Cergy-Pontoise, it was the pinnacle of a journey that had taken him from the youth ranks of Paris Saint-Germain to representing the nation of his ancestry.
Batubinsika was named in Sébastien Desabre’s 26-man squad for the tournament, earning his place through consistent performances at club level and his growing importance to the national team. He traveled with the squad to North America, ready to contribute to the Leopards’ historic campaign.
DR Congo’s tournament was one of resilience and determination. They earned a shock draw against Portugal, secured a vital victory over Uzbekistan, and pushed England all the way in the Round of 32. Batubinsika, though an unused substitute in all four matches, was part of the squad that achieved the nation’s best-ever World Cup performance. For the boy who had started his career at PSG’s academy and played in the French lower divisions, the World Cup was the culmination of a career built on perseverance and hard work.
Origins
Born on February 15, 1996, in Cergy-Pontoise, a commune in the Val-d’Oise department north of Paris, Dylan Batubinsika’s football journey began in the French capital. He started his youth career at US Cergy Clos before joining the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain Academy in 2004 at the age of eight.
He spent over a decade in the PSG youth system, progressing through the ranks and eventually featuring for the club’s reserve team in the CFA, France’s fourth tier. In total, he made 52 appearances for PSG B, scoring two goals. Despite his development within one of Europe’s top academies, he never made a senior appearance for the first team and left in 2017 to pursue regular first-team football.
Batubinsika represented France at youth level, earning caps for the U16 and U20 teams. However, he chose to represent DR Congo at senior level, honoring his Congolese descent. He made his debut for the Leopards in 2023 and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in the squad.
The European Forge
Paris Saint-Germain B (2014-2017):
Batubinsika’s senior career began with PSG’s reserve team in the CFA, France’s fourth tier. He accumulated 52 appearances and scored two goals, developing the technical and tactical qualities that would serve him well in his professional career.
Royal Antwerp (2017-2021):
On July 13, 2017, Batubinsika moved to Belgian First Division A side Royal Antwerp. His first season was a breakthrough—he made 32 league appearances, playing over 2,800 minutes. Over four seasons with Antwerp, he made 73 appearances, scoring three goals, and was part of the squad that won the 2019-20 Belgian Cup.
Famalicão (2021-2023):
In July 2021, Batubinsika signed a four-year contract with Portuguese Primeira Liga club Famalicão. He made 20 league appearances in his first season, scoring one goal. The following season, he featured briefly before being loaned out.
Maccabi Haifa (2022-2023):
On August 31, 2022, Batubinsika was loaned to Israeli Ligat Ha’Al champions Maccabi Haifa for the remainder of the season, with an option to make the move permanent. He made 25 appearances and scored two goals, gaining valuable European experience in the Champions League, where he featured in five matches.
Saint-Étienne (2023-2026):
On July 21, 2023, Batubinsika returned to France, signing for Ligue 2 side AS Saint-Étienne on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He was instrumental in the club’s promotion to Ligue 1, playing 29 matches and scoring one goal in the 2023-24 season. In the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign, he made 26 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the top flight.
The 2025-26 season saw his playing time reduce. He made one Ligue 2 appearance early in the campaign before completing a transfer.
AEL Larissa (2026-Present):
On January 27, 2026, Saint-Étienne announced that Batubinsika had joined Greek Super League side AEL Larissa. The move came just months before the World Cup and provided him with regular playing time. At Larissa, he made 16 league appearances in the 2025-26 season, accumulating 1,412 minutes.
DR Congo National Team (2023-Present):
Batubinsika made his debut for DR Congo in 2023 and was selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he made four appearances. He has earned 15 caps for the Leopards and scored one international goal.
The World Cup Campaign:
Batubinsika was named in DR Congo’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of four centre-backs selected by Sébastien Desabre. He was an unused substitute in all four of DR Congo’s matches—against Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and England—as the Leopards reached the Round of 32.
The Anatomy of His Game
Dylan Batubinsika is a commanding, right-footed centre-back known for his physical presence, aerial dominance, and defensive solidity. Standing at 184–188 cm, he is an imposing figure at the heart of the defence.
In Possession:
Batubinsika is a composed passer with reliable distribution. In the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, he completed 573 successful passes with an 89.5% pass completion rate. His long ball accuracy stood at 42%, and he created one chance during the campaign.
Out of Possession:
Batubinsika’s defensive work is his defining attribute. He excels in aerial duels, winning 68.4% of his aerial challenges in Ligue 1. His overall duel success rate of 60.4% reflects his physicality and reading of the game. He contributed 29 interceptions, 42 recoveries, and 8 tackles won across the 2024-25 season. His defensive actions place him in the top 84th percentile compared to other centre-backs.
Psychological Edge:
Batubinsika’s career has been defined by resilience and a willingness to seek regular playing time. From PSG’s reserve team to Belgium, Portugal, Israel, France, and Greece, he has consistently adapted to new environments. His progression from the fourth tier to a World Cup squad reflects his determination and professionalism. His versatility in adapting to different leagues and styles of play has been key to his longevity.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super League (Larissa) | 16 | 1,412 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ligue 2 (Saint-Étienne) | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 1,502 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2017 | PSG B | CFA | 52 | 2 |
| 2017-2021 | Antwerp | Belgian Pro League | 73 | 3 |
| 2021-2023 | Famalicão | Primeira Liga | 22 | 1 |
| 2022-2023 | Maccabi Haifa (loan) | Ligat Ha’Al | 25 | 2 |
| 2023-2026 | Saint-Étienne | Ligue 1/Ligue 2 | 56+ | 2 |
| 2026-Present | Larissa | Super League | 16 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 244+ | 10+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | Round of 32 |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2023 | 4 | 0 | — |
| DR Congo Senior Career | 15+ | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Senior Debut | Paris Saint-Germain B |
| 2017 | European Move | Antwerp, Belgian Pro League |
| 2020 | Belgian Cup Winner | Royal Antwerp |
| 2021 | Famalicão Move | Portuguese Primeira Liga |
| 2023 | International Debut | DR Congo national team |
| 2023 | Saint-Étienne Move | Return to France |
| 2023 | AFCON Selection | DR Congo squad |
| 2025 | Ligue 1 Season | 26 appearances |
| 2026 | Larissa Transfer | Greek Super League |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | DR Congo squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has experienced a steady and varied career across multiple European leagues. Batubinsika has made over 240 professional appearances across France, Belgium, Portugal, Israel, and Greece, demonstrating his adaptability and resilience. His 15+ caps for DR Congo and his selection for both the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup underline his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
Dylan Batubinsika is 30 years old and has achieved a career highlight by representing DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup. He is an AEL Larissa player and a regular member of the DR Congo national team squad.
The Larissa Story:
Batubinsika joined AEL Larissa in January 2026 and has adapted well to Greek football. In the 2025-26 season, he made 16 appearances and played 1,412 minutes. His selection for the World Cup, despite the mid-season move, reflects the trust Sébastien Desabre has in his abilities.
The World Cup Campaign:
Batubinsika was named in DR Congo’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He was an unused substitute in all four matches as the Leopards reached the Round of 32. DR Congo’s campaign included a shock draw against Portugal, a victory over Uzbekistan, and a narrow 2-1 defeat to England in the knockout round.
International Record:
Batubinsika has earned 15 caps for DR Congo and scored one international goal. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Dylan Batubinsika is defined by his journey from Parisian suburb to the World Cup. Born in Cergy-Pontoise to Congolese parents, he grew up in France before choosing to represent the nation of his ancestry.
His career path is a testament to perseverance. He spent over a decade at PSG’s academy without making a senior appearance, yet he never gave up on his dream of playing professional football. His willingness to move across Europe—from Belgium to Portugal to Israel to Greece—reflects his dedication to the game and his desire to constantly improve.
His decision to represent DR Congo has been rewarded with international recognition, including appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Batubinsika has 15 caps for DR Congo with 1 international goal.
Statistic:
Batubinsika was named in DR Congo’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Statistic:
Batubinsika has made over 240 senior club appearances across five European countries.
Statistic:
Batubinsika won the Belgian Cup with Antwerp in 2019-20.
Where Next?
Dylan Batubinsika is 30 years old and has established himself as a reliable centre-back across multiple European leagues. He is under contract with AEL Larissa in Greece and will continue to play in the Super League, where he has already made 16 appearances.
For DR Congo, Batubinsika remains a valuable option in central defence. His World Cup experience, even without game time, has added to his international profile. With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, he will be competing for a place in the Leopards’ defensive setup.
From Cergy-Pontoise to the World Cup, from PSG’s academy to the biggest stage of all, Dylan Batubinsika’s journey is one of perseverance, adaptability, and the triumph of hard work over circumstance. The boy who grew up in the Paris suburbs has become a World Cup squad member and a Congolese international—and his story continues.
