On 23/6, Mboladinga was in the stands at Akron Stadium (Mexico) to watch the match between his home team, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Colombia. He arrived at the stadium 1 hour before kickoff, wearing a red vest, a tie, a yellow shirt, and blue pants.
When the referee blew the whistle to start the match, he moved to a platform behind the technical area of the Democratic Republic of Congo team. There, he stood still, raising his right hand to the sky throughout the first half, aiming to recreate the pose of the statue of former prime minister Patrice Lumumba in Kinshasa. Behind him, the crowd continuously cheered.
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Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, becomes a "living statue" during the match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia, 23/6. Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images |
Spectators called him "Lumumba Vea" (Lumumba lives on) due to his appearance resembling the leader. When asked about his experience at the tournament, he declined interviews, only smiling and nodding.
Mboladinga has maintained the habit of wearing a red vest and tie to the stadium since 2013. Early 2026, his image appeared frequently on social media when he accompanied the team at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. During halftime of the match on 23/6, many Colombian fans approached him to greet him and take souvenir photos.
To be in the stands in Mexico, Mboladinga underwent a long journey. Earlier this year, he missed his team's World Cup playoff match against Jamaica due to visa issues, having to travel to Kenya and Ethiopia to complete paperwork. Despite planning to watch the opening match against Portugal, he was again absent and underwent a 21-day medical quarantine due to Ebola prevention regulations following an outbreak in his home country. After completing quarantine, the Congo Football Federation sponsored him to continue his trip.
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Michel Kuka Mboladinga arrives at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, 1 hour before kickoff, 23/6. Photo: EPA |
Former prime minister Patrice Lumumba led the movement to end Belgian colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960. He became prime minister, establishing the foundation for governing the nation. In 1961, he was assassinated amid conflicts with a separatist movement in the Katanga region.
Minh Phuong (According to Telegraph, The Sun)
