Mario Stroeykens

Mario Margriet Stroeykens Koho Pungu (born 29 September 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Belgian First Division A club Anderlecht. Born in Belgium, he plays for the DR Congo national team.

Club career On 15 January 2021, at 16 years, 3 months and 17 days, Stroeykens made his professional debut for RSC Anderlecht, in a 2–0 away loss to Eupen, under then manager Vincent Kompany.

On 9 October 2022, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 away win against K.V. Mechelen. Under different managers Stroeykens never really broke through, often being a substitute or playing for Anderlecht's U23 side, the RSCA Futures.

It was under manager Brian Riemer, after signing a contract extension until 2026 in the 2023–2024 season that he really broke through, playing 40 games in all competitions, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists.

He was very important for Anderlecht's challenge for the title that season, only losing first and second spot on the last 2 Matchdays of the Belgian Pro League Champions’ play-offs after a 0–1 home loss to rivals Club Brugge and a 3–1 away loss to Royal Antwerp FC. He had some notable performances in important moments for Paars-Wit, and he demonstrated his talent on 7 December 2023, by scoring a stunning goal from outside the box in the Belgian Clasico against Standard Liège in the Belgian Cup, leading his side to a 2–0 home win.

International career Born in Belgium, to Belgian father and Congolese-French mother, Stroeykens holds both Congolese and French nationalities from his parents, Stroeykens was a former youth international for Belgium.

On 1 November 2025, Stroeykens was called up for the first time to play for the DR Congo national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs against Cameroon. 13 days later, his request to switch international allegiance to the DR Congo was approved by FIFA.

Career statistics