A French youth international, who was a part of the team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship on home soil, he has chosen to represent DR Congo at senior level.

Mavinga was born in Meaux, Greater Paris, to an Angolan mother and a DR Congolese father.

[5] He also blamed his departure on the firing of Paris Saint-Germain's former manager Paul Le Guen with whom he shared a good relationship.

[10] Despite initial speculation of Mavinga verbally agreeing to join Turkish club Antalyaspor, the move to Genk was completed on 11 January 2011.

[13] On 17 May, Mavinga broke the jaw and fractured the nose of Standard Liège player Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez after accidentally kicking him in the face during the match.

At the end of the season, Mavinga soon had a falling out with manager Frédéric Antonetti after taking exception to being made to train separately from the group.

[20] Mavinga would make his return until 3 November 2012, as Rennes win 1–0 against Stade Reims and since retain his first team place in defense.

[21] On 7 August 2013, Mavinga agreed to join Russian side Rubin Kazan, for a reported fee of €5 million.

He made his youth international debut on 25 March 2009 in the under-18 team's friendly match against Germany in Markranstädt.

The match was played at Wembley Stadium in front of 15,000 spectators and the victory resulted in the team being presented the Fallenhero Trophy by The Football Association chairman Trevor Brooking.

[26][27] With the under-19 team, Mavinga was a regular call up of coach Francis Smerecki often starting in the centre back position alongside Johan Martial or Sébastien Faure.

After consistently appearing with the team for the campaign, on 7 June 2010, he was named to coach Smerecki's 18-man squad to participate in the 2010 European Under-19 Football Championship.

[28] Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 U-20 World Cup, which merited under-20 team appearances for Mavinga.

[29] Mavinga, subsequently, appeared in three matches for the team during the 2010–11 campaign and, on 10 June 2011, was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup.