Fan turns into 'living statue' at World Cup
MEXICO—Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, 49, a Congolese fan, drew attention at the World Cup by standing motionless for 45 minutes, mimicking the statue of late Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.
On June 23, Mboladinga was in the stands of Akron Stadium (Mexico) to watch the match between his home country, DR Congo, and Colombia. He arrived at the stadium an hour before kickoff, wearing a red suit, 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 DR 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 late Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in the capital Kinshasa. Behind him, the crowd cheered continuously.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga turns into a "living statue" during the match between Congo and Colombia on June 23. Photo: AP
Spectators called him "Lumumba Vea" (Lumumba lives forever) due to his physical resemblance to the leader. When asked about his experience attending the tournament, he declined interviews, only smiling and nodding.
Mboladinga has maintained the habit of wearing a red suit and tie to stadiums since 2013. In early 2026, his images appeared frequently on social media as he accompanied the team at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. During halftime of the June 23 match, many Colombian fans approached him to introduce themselves and ask for photos.
To be present in the stands in Mexico, Mboladinga went through 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 his paperwork. Although he planned to watch the opening match against Portugal, he was again forced to miss it and undergo a 21-day medical quarantine due to prevention regulations for an Ebola outbreak in his home country. After completing quarantine, the Congolese Football Federation sponsored him to continue his trip.
Michel Kuka Mboladinga arrives at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, one hour before kickoff, on June 23. Photo:EPA
The late Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba led the movement to end Belgian colonial rule in the DR Congo in 1960. He took office as prime minister, establishing the foundation for governing the country. In 1961, he was assassinated amidst the outbreak of conflict with the secessionist movement in the Katanga region.