Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Alan Nkunku (born 14 November 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Serie A club AC Milan and the France national team. Nkunku is a graduate of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy and made his professional debut for the club in December 2015. He made 78 appearances for them and won the Ligue 1 title thrice, the Coupe de France twice, and the Coupe de la Ligue twice. He moved to the German side RB Leipzig in July 2019, with whom he scored 70 goals in 172 appearances over four seasons and won the DFB-Pokal twice. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in the 2021–22 campaign and was the league's top scorer the following season. Nkunku was signed by Chelsea in 2023 for £52 million. After spending two years in Chelsea, he joined AC Milan in 2025. Nkunku represented France at multiple youth international levels, before making his debut for the senior national team in March 2022.

Infobox

2012

France U16

2016

France U19

2018

France U21

Full name

Christopher Alan Nkunku

Date of birth

(1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 28)

Place of birth

Lagny-sur-Marne, France

Height

1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)

Position(s)

Forward, attacking midfielder

Current team

AC Milan

Number

2003–2009

AS Marolles

2009–2010

Fontainebleau

2010–2015

Paris Saint-Germain

Years

Team

2015–2016

Paris Saint-Germain B

2015–2019

Paris Saint-Germain

2019–2023

RB Leipzig

2023–2025

Chelsea

2025–

AC Milan

2016–2017

France U20

2022–

France

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition · Career statistics › Club

Division

Club

Division

Season

Apps

League

Goals

League

Apps

League

Goals

National cup

Apps

National cup

Goals

League cup

Apps

League cup

Goals

Europe

Apps

Europe

Goals

Other

Apps

Other

Goals

Paris Saint-Germain B

Club

Paris Saint-Germain B

Season

2015–16

League

CFA

League

National cup

—

National cup

—

League cup

—

League cup

—

Europe

2016–17

Club

2016–17

Season

League

—

League

—

National cup

—

National cup

—

League cup

Total

Club

Total

Season

League

—

League

—

National cup

—

National cup

—

League cup

Paris Saint-Germain

Club

Paris Saint-Germain

Season

2015–16

League

Ligue 1

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

Total

2016–17

Club

2016–17

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

2017–18

Club

2017–18

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

2018–19

Club

2018–19

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

Total

Club

Total

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

RB Leipzig

Club

RB Leipzig

Season

2019–20

League

Bundesliga

League

National cup

League cup

—

League cup

Europe

—

Other

2020–21

Club

2020–21

Season

League

National cup

—

National cup

League cup

—

Europe

2021–22

Club

2021–22

Season

League

National cup

—

National cup

League cup

—

Europe

2022–23

Club

2022–23

Season

League

National cup

—

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

Total

Club

Total

Season

119

League

National cup

—

National cup

League cup

Europe

172

Other

Chelsea

Club

Chelsea

Season

2023–24

League

Premier League

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

—

Europe

—

Other

2024–25

Club

2024–25

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

Total

Club

Total

Season

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

AC Milan

Club

AC Milan

Season

2025–26

League

Serie A

League

National cup

League cup

—

League cup

—

Europe

Other

Career total

Club

Career total

Season

249

League

National cup

League cup

Europe

Other

351

Other

105

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Europe		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Paris Saint-Germain B	2015–16	CFA	18	2	—		—		—		—		18	2
	2016–17	CFA	9	3	—		—		—		—		9	3
	Total		27	5	—		—		—		—		27	5
Paris Saint-Germain	2015–16	Ligue 1	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	6	0
	2016–17		8	1	4	1	3	0	1	0	0	0	16	2
	2017–18		20	4	3	1	3	0	0	0	1	0	27	5
	2018–19		22	3	5	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	29	4
	Total		55	8	12	2	7	0	2	0	2	1	78	11
RB Leipzig	2019–20	Bundesliga	32	5	3	0	—		9	0	—		44	5
	2020–21		28	6	5	0	—		7	1	—		40	7
	2021–22		34	20	6	4	—		12	11	—		52	35
	2022–23		25	16	3	3	—		7	3	1	1	36	23
	Total		119	47	17	7	—		35	15	1	1	172	70
Chelsea	2023–24	Premier League	11	3	1	0	2	0	—		—		14	3
	2024–25	Premier League	27	3	2	1	2	3	11	7	6	1	48	15
	Total		38	6	3	1	4	3	11	7	6	1	62	18
AC Milan	2025–26	Serie A	10	0	2	1	—		—		0	0	12	1
Career total			249	66	34	11	11	3	48	22	9	3	351	105

Appearances and goals by national team and year · Career statistics › International

France

National team

France

Year

2022

Apps

Goals

2023

National team

2023

Year

Apps

2024

National team

2024

Year

Apps

2025

National team

2025

Year

Apps

Total

National team

Total

Year

Apps

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
France	2022	8	0
	2023	2	0
	2024	4	1
	2025	4	1
Total		18	2

List of international goals scored by Christopher Nkunku · Career statistics › International

No.

Date

10 October 2024

Venue

Bozsik Aréna, Budapest, Hungary

Cap

Opponent

Israel

Score

2–1

Result

4–1

Competition

2024–25 UEFA Nations League A

No.

Date

13 October 2025

Venue

Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Cap

Opponent

Iceland

Score

1–1

Result

2–2

Competition

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	10 October 2024	Bozsik Aréna, Budapest, Hungary	11	Israel	2–1	4–1	2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
2	13 October 2025	Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik, Iceland	16	Iceland	1–1	2–2	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

References

Includes Coupe de France, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Coppa Italia
Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup
Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
Appearance in Trophée des Champions
Six appearances and seven goals in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa League
Appearance in DFL-Supercup
Appearances in UEFA Conference League
Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea FC
https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/profile/christopher-nkunku
Bundesliga.com
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/nkunku-psg-fringe-player-flourishing-at-rb-leipzig-under-julian-nagelsmann-8372
"FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players: France"
https://web.archive.org/web/20191219142701/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2017/pdf/FWYC_2017_SquadLists.pdf
L'Équipe
https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur57102.html
Le Parisien
https://web.archive.org/web/20211222194016/https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-christopher-nkunku-je-ne-suis-pas-un-surdoue-27-03-2017-6798543.php
SOFOOT
https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195352/https://www.sofoot.com/nkunku-un-titi-sur-la-route-du-psg-487368.html
Le Parisien
https://web.archive.org/web/20211222194021/https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/-05-09-2015-5063445.php
"Christopher Nkunku reminiscent of Blaise Matuidi as his star rises at PSG"
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3041897/christopher-nkunku-reminiscent-of-blaise-matuidi-as-his-star-rises-at-paris-saint-germain
"UEFA Youth League report: Chelsea 2 Paris Saint-Germain 1"
https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2016/04/18/uefa-youth-league-report--chelsea-v-paris-saint-germain
Ouest-France
https://madeinfoot.ouest-france.fr/infos/article-psg-christopher-nkunku-fete-ses-debuts-professionnels-en-c1-135380.html
"Draxler grabs debut goal as PSG win 7–0"
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37464820/julian-draxler-grabs-debut-goal-psg-stick-seven-bastia-coupe-de-france
"Nkunku 8/10 as PSG thrash Metz"
https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3414516/psg-thrash-metz-as-christopher-nkunku-seizes-his-chance-to-start
L'Équipe
https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-christopher-nkunku-psg-au-rb-leipzig-officiel/1041168
bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/osnabruck-rb-leipzig-live-line-ups-stats-dfb-cup-upamecano-timo-werner-nagelsmann-6055
BBC Sport
https://web.archive.org/web/20211206095227/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49389932
bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website
https://web.archive.org/web/20220320163718/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-impresses-with-four-assists-for-rb-leipzig-5-0-schalke-10105
"Manchester City 6 RB Leipzig 3"
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58562369
Marca
https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/09/16/614355df46163f6e088b4616.html
bundesliga.com
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976
"Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Füllkrug share 2022/23 Bundesliga top goalscorer trophy"
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/top-scorer-race-fullkrug-gnabry-kolo-muani-grifo-nkunku-thuram-23589
"Nkunku to join Chelsea"
https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/nkunku-to-join-chelsea
Soccer Brief
https://web.archive.org/web/20230620172914/https://soccerbrief.co.uk/chelsea-confirm-christopher-nkunku-signing/
BBC Sport
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64013875
BBC Sport
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66440762
BBC Sport
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67688633
"Match report: Wolves 2–1 Chelsea"
https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/match-report-wolves-2-1-chelsea
Eurosport
https://www.eurosport.com/football/league-cup/2024-2025/chelsea-5-0-barrow-christopher-nkunku-nets-hat-trick-as-blues-make-fourth-round-of-league-cup_sto10350208/story.shtml
"Official Statement: Christopher Nkunku"
https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2025-08-30/official-statement-christopher-nkunku
"Christopher Nkunku 'comfortable and determined' to succeed at AC Milan after scoring first goal since joining from Chelsea"
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/christopher-nkunku-comfortable-determined-succeed-ac-milan-after-scoring-first-goal-since-joining-from-chelsea/blt738611ebdec7ac6c
madeinfoot.com
http://www.madeinfoot.com/infos/article-selection-ces-jeunes-pousses-du-psg-qui-ont-snobe-la-rd-congo-111018.html
actualitesdesleopards.com
http://actualitesdesleopards-rdc.footeo.com/actualite/2015/11/09/christo-nkunku-jouer-pour-la-r-d-congo-pourquoi-pas.html
fff.fr
https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8831-nkunku-christopher/fiche.html
Soccerway
https://int.soccerway.com/players/christopher-nkunku/376909/
bundesliga.com
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-star-christopher-nkunku-earns-first-france-call-up-19259
eurosport.com
https://www.eurosport.com/football/international-friendlies/2022/france-v-ivory-coast-follow-live_sto8855308/story.shtml
Sky Sports
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12742737/france-world-cup-squad-william-saliba-and-ibrahima-konate-picked-by-didier-deschamps-in-25-man-squad
L'Équipe
https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Christopher-nkunku-forfait-pour-la-coupe-du-monde/1365083
"France beat Israel in Nations League match despite Mbappe absence"
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241010-france-israel-nations-league-mbappe
We Ain't Got No History
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2023/11/22/23964698/the-christopher-nkunku-conundrum
The Coaches' Voice
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/christopher-nkunku-rb-leipzig/
OneFootball
https://onefootball.com/fr/news/why-does-chelseas-christopher-nkunku-celebrate-with-a-balloon-37707353
EU-Football.info
https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31854
Soccerway
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/10/europe/uefa-nations-league/israel/france/4319369/
Goal (website)
https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/psg-clinch-ligue-1-title-by-thrashing-monaco/1ty70ovdroka415jkim9oc0zsj
ligue1.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20190626220236/https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/psg-champions-as-lille-held-at-toulouse.htm
ESPN.com
https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=539117
"PSG thrash Monaco to win French Super Cup as Neymar plays 15 minutes"
http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=511012
"RB Leipzig win first DFB Cup following shootout win against Freiburg"
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/freiburg-rb-leipzig-dfb-cup-final-live-team-news-stats-nkunku-schlotterbeck-19977
Bundesliga
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-eintracht-frankfurt-dfb-cup-final-live-team-news-match-stats-kolo-muani-23656
"Chelsea beat Real Betis 4–1 to win Conference League"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crk2zx2e1xet#Report
BBC Sport
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68329936
"Chelsea 3–0 PSG"
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cpwqnpdz929t
Kicker
https://www.kicker.de/fussballer-fussballerin-und-trainer-des-jahres-kicker-awards-an-nkunku-schueller-und-streich-911161/artikel#omrss
"RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku named 2021/22 Bundesliga Player of the Season"
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976
"The EA Sports Bundesliga Team of the Season 2021/22 is here!"
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ea-sports-team-of-the-season-2021-22-overview-19624
"Christopher Nkunku zum VDV-Spieler der Saison gewählt"
https://www.spielergewerkschaft.de/de/VDV/Aktuelles/Detail/1487/Christopher%20Nkunku%20zum%20VDV-Spieler%20der%20Saison%20gew%C3.htm
Kicker
https://www.kicker.de/sechs-klubs-vertreten-die-kicker-elf-der-saison-2021-22-902859/artikel
Kicker
https://www.kicker.de/bayern-bvb-freiburg-und-rb-doppelt-vertreten-die-kicker-elf-der-saison-954763/artikel
"Bundesliga Player of the Month"
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/player-of-the-month-vote-fifa-22-ea-sports-21-22-season-17213
"2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season"
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0275-15302e8596b2-af02e3bfb7db-1000--2021-22-uefa-europa-league-team-of-the-season/