PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leandro Trossard |
| Date of Birth | 4 December 1994 (Age: 31) |
| Place of Birth | Waterschei, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 1.72 m / 5 ft 8 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Forward / Left Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #19 |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| Previous Clubs | Genk, Brighton & Hove Albion |
| International Caps | 57 |
| International Goals | 14 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
The Frozen Moment
The BC Place Stadium, Vancouver. June 26, 2026. Belgium and New Zealand were locked in a tense Group G finale, and the Red Devils’ World Cup campaign was hanging by a thread. After two disappointing draws, Belgium needed a victory to progress.
In the 28th minute, the breakthrough came. Leandro Trossard, the 31-year-old forward who had started every match for Belgium, was in the right place at the right time. A corner from the left caused chaos in the New Zealand box, and Trossard pounced, nudging the ball home from inside the six-yard box. It was Belgium’s first goal in more than 200 minutes of tournament football.
Five minutes after the restart, he doubled the lead, lashing in a rebound after his first effort had been blocked. Belgium would go on to win 5-1, sealing top spot in Group G and advancing to the knockout stages.
His brace was the defining moment of Belgium’s World Cup campaign. Trossard’s year had already been remarkable—he had won the Premier League with Arsenal for the first time since 2004, scored the decisive winner against West Ham that secured the title, and reached the UEFA Champions League final. Now, he was delivering on the biggest stage of all.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia would later describe Trossard as “the symbol of a team player who puts the team before himself.”
Origins
Leandro Trossard was born on December 4, 1994, in Waterschei, Belgium. His football journey began in his homeland, where he joined Genk’s youth academy and progressed through the ranks.
Trossard made his senior debut for Genk in the 2011-12 season, and over the next seven years, he established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Belgian football. In the 2018-19 season, he had a standout campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing 9 assists in 47 appearances, helping Genk win the Belgian Pro League title.
The European Forge
Genk (2011-2019):
Trossard spent eight seasons at Genk, making over 150 league appearances and scoring 48 goals. His most productive season came in 2018-19, when he scored 22 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions, winning the Belgian Pro League title. His performances attracted attention from across Europe.
Brighton & Hove Albion (2019-2023):
In July 2019, Trossard made the move to the Premier League, signing for Brighton & Hove Albion. Over four seasons on the south coast, he made 120 league appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 20 assists. His most memorable moment at Brighton came in October 2022, when he scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool.
Arsenal (2023-Present):
On January 20, 2023, Trossard signed for Arsenal for a reported fee of £27 million. He made an immediate impact, contributing 10 assists in just 22 league appearances in the second half of the 2022-23 season.
The 2023-24 season was his most prolific in front of goal, as he scored 16 times across the Premier League and Champions League. By the 2025-26 season, he was a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, making 50 appearances across all competitions, recording eight goals and 11 assists. His 83rd-minute winner away at West Ham United on May 10, 2026, helped Arsenal maintain their lead over Manchester City and secure their first Premier League title since 2004.
In total, Trossard has made 174 appearances for Arsenal, contributing 36 goals and 34 assists. He has also reached the UEFA Champions League final with the club in 2026.
The Anatomy of His Game
Trossard is a right-footed forward defined by his versatility, creativity, and intelligence on the ball. At 1.72 metres, he possesses a low centre of gravity and excellent dribbling ability. He primarily operates on the left wing but has also provided a central option when Arsenal were affected by injuries.
In Possession:
Trossard’s creativity is his standout attribute. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he recorded six goals and six assists in 31 appearances. His ability to read the game and provide key passes makes him a valuable asset in the final third. He is not afraid to move around to maximise his chances, making him almost irreplaceable in Belgium’s attack.
Out of Possession:
Trossard’s work rate and commitment are notable. He is dynamic, quick, and effective in pressing opponents. His involvement helps Belgium’s attacks and provides extra support whenever the opportunity arises.
Psychological Edge:
Trossard’s mental resilience is one of his defining characteristics. He is a vocal presence on the pitch, even raising his voice against teammates for the good of the team. During the World Cup, he clashed with captain Youri Tielemans during a cooling break while trailing 2-0 to Senegal—but just minutes later, Tielemans provided the equaliser, assisted by Trossard. Garcia praised the incident, saying: “I want players like that, who are ready to turn the table when things aren’t going well.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 31 | 6 | 6 |
| UEFA Champions League | 11 | 1 | 4 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| League Cup | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup | 6 | 2 | 2+ |
| TOTAL | 58 | 10 | 12+ |
TABLE B: Career (Top-Five League)
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Brighton | 31 | 5 | 3 |
| 2020/21 | Brighton | 35 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021/22 | Brighton | 34 | 8 | 3 |
| 2022/23 | Brighton/Arsenal | 36 | 8 | 12 |
| 2023/24 | Arsenal | 34 | 12 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | Arsenal | 38 | 8 | 7 |
| 2025/26 | Arsenal | 31 | 6 | 6 |
| TOTAL | — | 239 | 52 | 37 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 6 | 2 |
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | 3 | 0 |
| UEFA Euro 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifying | 6 | 1 |
| Friendlies | 4+ | 4+ |
| Senior Career | 57 | 14 |
TABLE D: Major Trophy Honours
| Competition | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| Premier League | 1 (2025/26) |
| FA Community Shield | 1 (2023) |
| Belgian Pro League | 1 (2018/19) |
| UEFA Champions League | Runner-up (2025/26) |
| EFL Cup | Runner-up (2025/26) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has consistently performed at the highest level. His 239 top-five league appearances and 52 goals reflect a career of sustained quality. His 57 caps and 14 international goals demonstrate his importance to the Belgian national team, while his Premier League title and Champions League final appearance in 2025-26 confirm his status as one of Europe’s elite attackers.
The Present Tense
Leandro Trossard is 31 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a key forward for Arsenal in the Premier League and a mainstay of the Belgium national team.
The Arsenal Story:
Trossard joined Arsenal in January 2023 and has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s squad. He has made 174 appearances for the club, contributing 36 goals and 34 assists. In the 2025-26 season, he played a pivotal role as Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004, scoring the decisive winner against West Ham. He also reached the UEFA Champions League final. However, with his contract expiring in 2027, he has been linked with a move away from the Emirates, with Besiktas agreeing a €20 million deal with Arsenal in July 2026, though personal terms were yet to be finalised at the time.
The Belgium Story:
Trossard made his senior debut for Belgium in 2020 and has since earned 57 caps and scored 14 goals. He was a substitute at the 2022 World Cup but has become a starter under Rudi Garcia. He is a central figure on the left side of Belgium’s attack and has been described by Garcia as “the symbol of a team player who puts the team before himself.”
The World Cup Campaign:
Trossard started all six of Belgium’s matches at the 2026 World Cup. He scored twice in the 5-1 victory over New Zealand and provided an assist in the comeback victory over Senegal in the Round of 32. Belgium reached the quarter-finals, where they faced Spain.
International Record:
Trossard has earned 57 caps for Belgium since his debut in 2020. He has scored 14 international goals. He has represented Belgium at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Trossard is defined by his status as one of the most consistent attackers in European football. Born in Waterschei, he has played in Belgium and England, establishing himself at every destination.
His move to Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023 for £27 million was a defining moment in his career. He has spoken of the importance of the team over individual glory, a sentiment echoed by his manager: “The symbol of a team player who puts the team before himself is Leandro Trossard.”
At 31, Trossard is approaching the end of his peak years. He has won the Premier League, reached a Champions League final, and scored at the World Cup. He is one of the most experienced members of the Belgian squad and a key figure in Rudi Garcia’s setup.
The Verdict from the Camp
Rudi Garcia, Belgium Head Coach:
“The symbol of a team player who puts the team before himself is Leandro Trossard. I’m happy he scored two goals, that he thought a bit more about himself, because when he does, he’s actually thinking of us by scoring.”
“I want players like that, who are ready to turn the table when things aren’t going well. Because on the pitch, that’s what you need. You need that fighting spirit.”
Where Next?
Leandro Trossard is 31 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a Premier League winner and a key figure for both Arsenal and Belgium. His performances at the 2026 World Cup have confirmed his status as one of Europe’s elite attackers.
For Belgium, Trossard is a central figure. With 57 caps and 14 goals, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad and will be expected to feature in future qualifying campaigns.
For Arsenal, Trossard’s future is uncertain. With a contract until 2027, he has been linked with a move to Besiktas, and the Turkish club has agreed a €20 million fee with Arsenal. Personal terms were yet to be finalised at the time of reporting, with Trossard’s World Cup campaign taking priority.
From Genk to Brighton, from Arsenal to the World Cup, Leandro Trossard’s journey is a story of consistency, versatility, and achievement. The boy from Waterschei who won the Belgian Pro League is now a Premier League champion, a Champions League finalist, and the symbol of a team player on football’s biggest stage.
