Ilombe Mboyo

Ilombe Mboyo (born 22 April 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Virton. Born in Zaire and raised in Belgium, Mboyo originally represented DR Congo internationally before switching to represent the Belgium national team.

Club career
Born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Mboyo played youth football for Anderlecht and Club Brugge, before going to prison when he was 17 for his part in a gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in 2004. Mboyo was a member of one of the most notorious street gangs in Belgium. While in prison, Mboyo was scouted under an initiative started by Queen Paola of Belgium and trained with Charleroi, joining the club after his release, signed by John Collins. He joined Kortrijk on loan in May 2010; the deal was made permanent in September 2010 He moved to Gent in January 2011.

He quickly became an important player for Gent and received the captain's armband. However, two months later, in a game against Waasland-Beveren, Mboyo missed a carelessly taken penalty and provoked his own supporters after being booed. The club forced him to apologize for his behaviour and youngster Hannes van der Bruggen became the new captain.

In August 2013, West Ham United pulled out of signing Mboyo after fans protested due to his conviction.

On 3 February 2019, Al-Raed signed Mboyo for one season from Kortrijk.

In January 2021, Mboyo joined fellow Belgian First Division A side Sint-Truiden on a permanent deal.

On 31 August 2021, he returned to Gent on a two-year contract.

On 26 December 2022, Mboyo signed with Virton.

International career
In August 2011 Mboyo played for the DR Congo national team in the 3–0 defeat against Gambia. However, as this was a friendly game, he remained eligible for Belgium. In October 2012, Mboyo was called up to the senior Belgium national team. Due to his conviction, the selection was controversial. Assistant manager Vital Borkelmans said that he deserved a second chance, while François De Keersmaecker, President of the Royal Belgian Football Association, said that his presence could set a good example. He made his debut on the 16th in a 2–0 win over Scotland in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, replacing Christian Benteke for the final four minutes at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.