Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the Congo DR supporter who became a viral sensation during the Africa Cup of Nations for standing completely motionless throughout matches — embodying a statue of the country's assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba — has now taken his act to football's grandest stage.

Mboladinga attended Congo DR's World Cup match against Colombia on Tuesday, bringing his iconic tribute to Lumumba to a global audience for the first time.

The fan first captured widespread attention at the Africa Cup of Nations, where his extraordinary stillness in the stands drew as many eyes as the action on the pitch. Dressed to honour Lumumba, he held his pose without flinching for the full duration of games, turning the terraces into a stage for a powerful piece of living history.

His presence at the World Cup marks a remarkable journey — from continental tournament novelty to a moment recognised on the world's biggest footballing platform.