Mario Stroeykens

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.

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. However, he was unable to make his senior debut shortly afterwards due to injury, which later also forced him to withdraw from the DR Congo squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

As of match played 18 April 2026