Hubbry Logo
KaluluKaluluMain
Open search
Kalulu
Community hub
Kalulu
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Kalulu
Kalulu
from Wikipedia

Ndugu M’Hali or Kalulu (c. 1865 – 28 March 1877) was an African slave and adopted child of the explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley. Kalulu died young, but in his short life he visited Europe, America and the Seychelles. He had a book dedicated to him, a model in Madame Tussauds, and was a guest at David Livingstone's funeral.[1]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

M’Hali was born in Africa and became Henry Morton Stanley's favourite after being given to him at Tabora in Tanzania. M'Hali was freed but was renamed by Stanley. His original name was "Ndugu M’Hali" which meant "My friend's brother".[1] Stanley disliked the name, calling him instead "Kalulu," the Swahili word for rabbit.

A studio picture of M’Hali and Stanley now in the Smithsonian Institution. Henry Morton Stanley was the adopted name of John Rowlands from North Wales. Stanley became famous for saying, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume."

After Stanley found Dr. Livingstone, he returned to England and decided to take M’Hali with him. He was Stanley's constant companion, and Stanley would record his reactions to new things. He commented on how good he was after drinking wine and upset after trying mustard. Stanley went on a lecture tour to America and to Paris, and M’Hali went with him. At one point they were delayed in the Seychelles, and whilst there and in London, Stanley had his photograph taken with M’Hali in the background. Moreover, Stanley wrote and published a book called "Kalulu, Prince, King and slave" in 1873.[2] The book has been called a homosexual love story,[1] and it describes a growing friendship between a character called Kalulu (an "Apollo"), who is older than the real M’Hali and another boy called "Selim" (Stanley's translator in Africa was called Selim).[citation needed]

Death of Kalulu - a contemporary engraving

M’Hali dined with members of society but often felt he was being humiliated as a result of a previous racist encounter. It was only when introduced to Lord Freeth that he really started to flourish in western society. Stanley said of M’Hali that he had "taken him to England and the United States, and whom I had placed in an English school for eighteen months."[3]: 51 

Stanley was sent back to Africa under a mission supported by The Daily Telegraph in London and the New York Herald as an “ambassador of two great powers.” He was to take with him an “army of peace and light,” and this included his protégé M’Hali. Stanley was to map central Africa and report on suspected slave traders[4] whom Stanley had lectured against whilst in England.

M’Hali died in "Kalulu Falls" (part of the Livingstone Falls on the Congo River), when one of the expedition's canoes was taken over the waterfall. He and four others were killed.[3]: 264–265  After learning of the tragedy, Stanley vowed to rid the empire of its only remaining slave master, the one they called 'Marsh'. It was his last request to have the Livingstone Falls renamed after Kalulu. Unlike many new names that Stanley gave to places, the title of Kalulu Falls stuck.[5]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ndugu M'Hali, commonly known as (c. 1865 – 28 March 1877), was an East African boy originally enslaved who was acquired by explorer near in present-day around 1872 and subsequently adopted as his personal attendant and ward. , having renamed the boy Kalulu— for ""—took him to for and later included him in the 1874–1877 expedition tracing the from its source to the Atlantic, during which Kalulu served as gun-bearer and companion, experiencing , America, and the en route. drew from Kalulu's background to author the 1873 My Kalulu, Prince, and , portraying African and through a fictionalized lens inspired by his young charge. Kalulu's ended abruptly at age twelve when his canoe plunged over falls on the Lualaba River—later named Kalulu Falls in commemoration—resulting in his drowning amid the perils of the expedition.

Early life and youth development

Family background and upbringing

Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa was born on 5 June 2000 in , , to parents who had immigrated from the . His family maintained ties to Congolese heritage, with Kalulu holding dual French and DR Congolese nationality. He grew up alongside three brothers—Aldo (born 1996), Gédéon (born 1998), and Joseph (born circa 2005)—all of whom pursued professional football careers, with Aldo playing as a forward for Partizan , Gédéon as a defender for , and Joseph as a left-back for . This familial emphasis on the fostered a competitive environment from an early age, with the brothers training together and sharing resources in Lyon's football-oriented community. Kalulu's upbringing in Lyon's 8th arrondissement instilled values of discipline and perseverance, influenced by his parents' immigrant background and the challenges of adapting to French society. He began playing football locally around age 7, initially at AS Saint-Priest before advancing to more structured youth setups, reflecting the family's collective investment in athletic development over other professions.

Academy progression at Olympique Lyonnais

Kalulu joined the youth academy of in 2010 at the age of 10, after beginning his early footballing development with local club AS Saint-Priest from 2007 to 2010. Over the subsequent eight years, he advanced through the club's structured age-group teams, focusing primarily on defensive roles and building foundational skills in tactical awareness and ball-playing ability. By the 2018–19 season, Kalulu had reached the U19 level, where he recorded 9 appearances in the , contributing to Lyon's youth campaign in the competition. He also featured in 3 matches in the , France's premier youth cup tournament, during the same period. In June 2018, he received promotion to the reserve team, II, which competed in the , signifying his readiness for semi-professional competition while still under 19. This step allowed him to gain experience against older opponents, though he did not debut for the senior first team during his time at .

Club career

AC Milan breakthrough (2020–2024)

Kalulu joined on a permanent transfer from on August 5, 2020, signing a contract until June 30, 2025. The move was completed for a reported fee of €1.4 million. Initially limited to substitute appearances and cup matches in the 2020–21 season, Kalulu made his competitive debut on December 10, 2020, starting as a left-sided centre-back in a 1–0 group stage win over Sparta Prague. He accumulated 10 appearances across all competitions that season, primarily in defensive rotations amid injuries to senior defenders. Kalulu's breakthrough came in the 2021–22 campaign, where he emerged as a regular starter under manager , featuring in 32 matches across , , and . His versatility allowed deployment at centre-back and right-back, contributing to AC Milan's title win—the club's first since 2011—with 27 league appearances, 2 goals, and solid defensive metrics including 1.8 tackles per 90 minutes. Analysts noted his rapid adaptation and partnership with , praising his ball-playing ability from the back as key to Milan's possession-based style. In 2022–23, Kalulu maintained prominence with 45 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists, while helping reach the Champions League round of 16. He started in the final, where defeated 2–1 on penalties to claim the trophy. However, the 2023–24 season saw his role diminish to 19 appearances due to multiple injuries, including muscle issues that sidelined him for extended periods. Overall, Kalulu recorded 106 appearances, 4 goals, and 3 assists for from 2020 to 2024, establishing himself as a foundational piece in their defensive revival before his departure.

Transfer to Juventus (2024–present)

On 21 August 2024, Juventus signed Pierre Kalulu on a one-year loan from AC Milan for a fee of €3.3 million, with an obligation to buy for €14 million plus up to €3 million in performance-related add-ons at the end of the 2024–25 season. The move addressed Juventus' need for defensive depth following injuries and departures, positioning Kalulu as a versatile option capable of playing centre-back or right-back under manager Thiago Motta. Kalulu quickly integrated into the squad, making 32 appearances in during the 2024–25 campaign, where he contributed 1 goal, helped secure 10 clean sheets, and recorded 4 blocked shots. Across all competitions, he featured in 39 matches and scored once, demonstrating reliability in a backline that faced transitional challenges. His performances, marked by strong tackling and aerial duels, justified Juventus' activation of the purchase option. On 5 June 2025, Juventus finalized the permanent transfer, with Kalulu signing a contract extension until 30 June 2029. By October 2025, in the early stages of the 2025–26 season, he had appeared in 7 matches, contributing to 3 clean sheets while the team conceded 7 goals, underscoring his ongoing role in the defensive unit.

Transfer rumors and market interest (2025)

In June 2025, Juventus activated the €14 million buy option to make Pierre Kalulu's loan from AC Milan permanent, securing the versatile defender on a long-term contract. By October 2025, Premier League clubs expressed significant interest in Kalulu, with Newcastle United reportedly preparing a €30 million offer to strengthen their backline amid defensive needs. Tottenham Hotspur also emerged as suitors, drawn to the 25-year-old's performances and positional flexibility as a center-back or right-back. Juventus officials indicated openness to offers, viewing Kalulu's elevated market value—bolstered by his contributions since joining—as an opportunity to generate funds for squad investments elsewhere, though mid-season sales could risk defensive depth. Aston Villa was noted as potential competition for Newcastle's pursuit, highlighting broader English top-flight demand for Kalulu's profile. These rumors, primarily sourced from Italian outlet TuttoJuve and transfer journalist Ekrem Konur, reflect speculative interest rather than advanced negotiations as of late October 2025.

International career

Youth international appearances

Kalulu earned his first youth international caps with the France U18 team in 2018, making five appearances without scoring. He progressed to the U19 side later that year, accumulating 11 caps and 2 goals overall, including 4 appearances and 1 goal in qualifiers. In the 2019 held in , Kalulu featured in all three of 's group stage matches as the hosts topped their group before a semi-final exit to ; he scored once during the tournament. Kalulu also recorded 3 caps for the U20 team in 2019, with no goals. Kalulu became a mainstay for the U21 team from 2021 to 2023, earning 19 caps and scoring 2 goals during qualifying campaigns and friendlies. Highlights included the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over on November 17, 2021, and assists in matches such as the 2-1 friendly win against on June 22, 2023. qualified for the 2023 tournament under coach , though Kalulu's involvement was limited to preparatory fixtures amid club commitments.

Senior debut and France national team

Kalulu received his maiden call-up to the senior France national team in May 2025 for the Finals, following strong performances at Juventus during the 2024–25 season. He made his senior international debut on 5 June 2025, coinciding with his 25th birthday, starting as a centre-back in the semi-final against at in . France suffered a 5–4 defeat to Spain in that match, with Kalulu playing the full 90 minutes before being substituted in extra time during the high-scoring encounter. As of October 2025, this appearance marks his sole senior cap for Les Bleus, accumulating 62 minutes of international play without recording a goal or assist. His selection reflected France coach Didier Deschamps' emphasis on versatile defenders amid injuries and rotations in the squad, though Kalulu has yet to secure further call-ups amid competition from established centre-backs like William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.

Playing style and attributes

Defensive strengths and technical skills

Kalulu excels in defensive positioning and game reading, demonstrating strong anticipation to intercept passes and disrupt opposition build-up play, as evidenced by his top-percentile pressure rates among defenders during his tenure, where he averaged 17.4 pressures per game in the 2021-22 season. His spatial awareness allows effective coverage of zones behind a high defensive line, compensating for his modest of 179 cm by relying on agility and recovery speed rather than physical dominance in duels. In one-on-one situations, Kalulu's tackling success rate stands out, achieving 57.14% in challenges during the 2023-24 season, outperforming many contemporaries and enabling him to win possession in advanced areas. At Juventus in the 2024-25 campaign, his pace—clocked at high sprint speeds in transition defense—has been pivotal in maintaining balance, particularly when deployed out wide, with tactical discipline aiding recoveries and space coverage under manager . Technically, Kalulu's ball-playing ability enhances his defensive contributions, with progressive passing and composure under pressure facilitating build-up from the back; during his breakthrough, he ranked highly in forward passes attempted among center-backs, reflecting prior experience as an attacking right-back. This technical proficiency extends to versatility across center-back and full-back roles, though refinement in penalty-area defending remains an area for growth, as noted in evaluations highlighting occasional lapses in high-stakes duels.

Physical profile and positional versatility

Pierre Kalulu measures 1.82 meters in height and weighs 69 kilograms, featuring a lean, athletic physique that emphasizes mobility over imposing stature. This build enables quick directional changes and sustained endurance, though it limits dominance in aerial challenges against taller opponents. His physical strengths include above-average speed, , and explosive power, which compensate for his modest in one-on-one defending and recovery runs. Kalulu's aggressive pressing and physical resilience have been noted in high-intensity matches, where he leverages strength in duels despite lower body mass compared to traditional centre-backs. Kalulu exhibits strong positional versatility, primarily deployed as a centre-back but proficient at right-back and wing-back roles across formations. This adaptability stems from his technical comfort in build-up play and defensive shifting, allowing seamless transitions in fluid systems like Juventus' under . He has logged minutes in multiple defensive positions early in his career, demonstrating positional sense and tactical intelligence in both central and wide areas.

Reception and analysis

Achievements and statistical highlights

Kalulu played a supporting role in AC Milan's title victory in the 2021–22 season, appearing in 28 league matches and contributing 2 goals, including the winner in a 1–0 defeat of on 12 March 2022 via a strike from outside the box. He was voted MVP for that performance, having completed 48 passes, secured 13 recoveries, and won 6 of 8 duels. Earlier, on 13 January 2021, he earned MVP honors in a 0–0 draw (5–4 on penalties) against Torino, adapting effectively from full-back to center-back while maintaining defensive solidity. At Juventus, Kalulu featured prominently in his debut 2024–25 season with 39 appearances across all competitions and 1 goal, helping the team to a competitive league standing despite no major trophies. In the ongoing 2025–26 campaign, he has recorded 11 appearances (8 in , 3 in Champions League) and 1 assist as of late October. Career-wide, as a defender, Kalulu has tallied 5 goals and 10 assists in over 220 club matches, with low offensive output reflecting his primary defensive role. On the international stage, he debuted for France's senior team on 5 June 2025 against in the , earning 1 cap without goals to date.

Criticisms of performance and discipline

Kalulu has faced scrutiny for lapses in aerial dueling, with data from the 2023–24 season showing him winning just 1.02 aerial balls per 90 minutes at a 34.9% success rate, placing him in the bottom percentiles among positional peers. This deficiency has been highlighted as a key area of improvement needed for his development as a center-back, particularly in systems demanding strong heading ability against physical forwards. Specific matches have drawn criticism of his on-field decision-making, such as during Juventus' encounter with Manchester City in June 2025, where Italian media outlets described his performance as subpar, noting errors that contributed to defensive vulnerabilities despite his overall consistency earlier in the campaign. Incidents like being nutmegged and sent sliding by Fenerbahçe's in October 2025 have also been cited as examples of occasional lapses in one-on-one defending, though such moments remain outliers in his broader profile. On discipline, Kalulu received a straight red card for violent conduct in Juventus' 1–1 draw with on May 10, 2025, after striking forward during a second-half altercation, resulting in a two-match suspension that sidelined him for the season's final fixtures. The club imposed an internal fine, while former manager publicly condemned the act as avoidable and detrimental, emphasizing its timing amid Juventus' push for European spots. This incident marked Juventus' second red card for violent conduct in three matches, underscoring questions about Kalulu's temperament under pressure. No prior major disciplinary infractions were recorded in his senior career up to that point.

Personal life

Family and siblings in football

Pierre Kalulu is part of a of four brothers, all of whom have established professional careers in football, with roots in the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy. The brothers, of Congolese descent and born in , , pursued their development in European leagues, reflecting a shared family emphasis on the from an early age. The brother, (born 21 ), operates primarily as a right winger and has competed in multiple European countries, currently featuring for Serbian club since July 2023. (born 29 August 1997), a right-back who represents the DR Congo national team, has played for clubs including before moving to Cypriot side Aris . The youngest sibling, Joseph Kalulu (born 29 November 2004), signed his first professional contract with club in April 2025, emulating his brothers' paths after being released from at age 17; he primarily plays as a left-back. This collective success underscores the family's disciplined approach to youth training and parental support, though not all siblings aligned on national team representation, with Pierre opting for while others chose DR Congo.

Off-field interests and public persona

Kalulu describes himself as homely, favoring quiet pursuits such as watching television series including , , and , as well as Marvel and films, which he frequently enjoyed at cinemas during his time in France. He occasionally ventures out for clothes shopping or dining at restaurants, appreciating Milan's vibrant offerings in these areas while residing in the quieter nearby city of . A sustained interest in fashion stems from his Congolese heritage, where cultural emphasis on attire is strong; Kalulu prioritizes original, casual styles over fleeting trends, favoring brands like Stussy, Our Legacy, and , and views it as one of his more enduring curiosities amid a generally quick-shifting range of enthusiasms. He has also expressed passion for EA FC video games, playing as an attacking who emphasizes assists over personal goals. In public, Kalulu projects a , low-key persona marked by ambition and resilience, often highlighting in interviews his drive to improve through challenges, maintain focus amid setbacks, and contribute to team success without seeking spotlight. He shuns noisy social events, opting for subdued engagements that align with his curious yet selective nature, and has endorsed such as in limited commercial activities.

References

  1. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Death_of_Kalulu_MILNG005315.jpg
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.