Théo Leoni

Théo Leoni

Théo Leoni in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-04-21) 21 April 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Belgium
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Anderlecht
Number	17
Youth career
0000–2012	Charleroi
2012–2022	Anderlecht
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2023	RSCA Futures	19	(1)
2022–	Anderlecht	57	(7)
International career^‡
2017	Belgium U17	6	(0)
2019	Belgium U19	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:40, 10 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:40, 11 October 2023 (UTC)

Théo Leoni (born 21 April 2000) is a Belgian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Belgian First Division A club Anderlecht^[1][2]

Career

Leoni moved from the youth ranks of R. Charleroi S.C. to Anderlecht in 2012.^[3] On 5 September 2017, he signed his first professional contract with Anderlecht.^[4] He made his debut for Anderlecht in the Belgian First Division A on 30 October 2022 against K.A.S. Eupen. He had been captaining RSCA Futures in the Challenger Pro League, and been training with the Anderlecht first team since being promoted under former manager Vincent Kompany in 2019. A graceful left-footed playmaker, a debut in the first team prior to 2022 had been delayed by an initial lack of physicality but this part of his game developed with time.^[5] This development was to the extent that he has been described as “a revelation at number 8, the engine of the RCSA Futures”.^[6] Commenting after his debut at the relatively late age of 22, Leoni said he “had always remained positive” during his ten years at the club despite seeing players younger than him make first team starts before him.^[7]

On 27 August 2023, he scored a stunning first goal for Anderlecht during a 2-1 home win against R. Charleroi S. C. in the Belgian Pro League. On 17 august 2024, he made his 50th appearance for the club in a Belgian Pro League match against KV Mechelen in a 1-3 away win, scoring the 3rd goal of the game.

On 3 October 2024, he scored his first European goal in a UEFA Europa League match against Real Sociedad, scoring the winning goal with a great volley from outside of the box.^[8]

International career

Leoni was born in Belgium to an Italian father and Spanish mother.^[9] He is a youth international for Belgium, having played up to the Belgium U19s.^[10]

References

1. "Théo Leoni sur son premier match avec l'équipe première d'Anderlecht: "Une immense fierté de jouer pour ce magnifique club"". Le Soir. 30 October 2022.
2. "Théo Leoni après ses premières minutes sous la vareuse d'Anderlecht : 'C'est une immense fierté, j'attends ça depuis longtemps'". RTBF.
3. "The Anderlecht debut of Theo Leoni, an "ancien" of 22 years". sporza.be.
4. "Anderlecht: premier contrat pro pour Théo Leoni". Le Soir. 5 September 2017.
5. "Veldman bezorgt Anderlecht nieuwe parel". voetbalnieuws.be.
6. "Anderlecht already have two acquisitions for next season". voetbalnieuws.be.
7. "Eindelijk maakt Théo Leoni zijn debuut na vier jaar wachten: "Ik ben altijd positief gebleven"". voetbalkrant.com.
8. "Wereldgoal Leoni in Europa, maar Anderlecht-speler geeft toe: "Ik ga niet beweren dat ik hem daar wilde plaatsen."" [A stunning goal by Leoni in Europe, but the Anderlecht player admits: “I’m not going to claim that I wanted to place it there.”]. Nieuwsblad.be (in Dutch). 3 October 2024.
9. "Anderlecht Online - Est-ce enfin l'heure pour le jeune Theo Leoni ? (15 nov. 20)".
10. "Royal Belgian FA". www.rbfa.be.

External links

Théo Leoni at Soccerway