First RBL start, first goal for Assan Ouedraogo | OneFootball

It was the 13th minute of the home game against 1. FC Köln. A corner from David Raum swung into the box, Rômulo rose highest and headed towards goal. Assan Ouedraogo tried to flick it on but didn’t catch it cleanly. Köln keeper Marvin Schwäbe managed to parry, but Assan reacted quickest – cleverly snapping up the rebound with his right foot and smashing it high into the net from close range.

What followed was pure ecstasy: arms and head raised to the sky as the Red Bull Arena erupted. Fellow midfielder Nici Seiwald was first to reach him, before the 19-year-old celebrated with the whole team. “A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m so happy about my first Bundesliga goal. It’s pure joy, nothing else!” Assan explained afterwards.

The strike was not only crucial in the match but also wrote a little piece of RB Leipzig history. At 19 years, four months and 11 days old, Assan became the club’s fourth-youngest Bundesliga goalscorer.

Impressive display in the starting XI

Assan impressed not only with his first goal. In the middle of the park he played with composure, picked his moments well in the duels and created four chances. He left the pitch exhausted in the 57th minute, receiving warm applause from the crowd for his strong performance. “I had cramp. I haven’t played at that intensity for a long time, so I eventually ran out of steam,” he explained with a smile.

Praise from Ole Werner

Head coach Ole Werner was clear in his assessment: “He had a very good week in training and, as a player, he provided exactly what we wanted: confidence on the ball in midfield and a goal threat. He’s someone who can play the final pass. I’m delighted for him that he was able to back up his training performances." Even before the match, our coach had described him as a player who is “focused, eager to learn and yet relaxed.” After the game, Ole added: “I’m very pleased with him.”

His way to the top

Assan Ouedraogo made a name for himself at a young age. In 2022, he won the German U17 title with Schalke 04, and a year later he captained Germany’s U17s to the European Championship final, where he scored the decisive penalty in the shootout to seal the title. He also wasted no time making headlines in senior football. At just 17 years old, he made his debut for Schalke in the 2. Bundesliga against HSV, scored straight away and set two club records in the process – becoming the Royal Blues’ youngest ever debutant and youngest ever goalscorer.

Arrival in Leipzig

In summer 2024, Assan joined the Red Bulls as one of Germany’s most sought-after talents. Just a few months later he made his Bundesliga debut in Dortmund, picked up further league minutes and even featured in the Champions League. However, away to Inter Milan he had to come off just nine minutes after being subbed on, sidelined with a thigh injury that kept him out for an extended spell. He only returned to the matchday squad for the final two games of the season.

Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign he completed the full pre-season, marked his DFB-Pokal debut in Sandhausen with an assist, and came off the bench in the first three Bundesliga games. Then, handed his first start against Köln, Assan seized the moment.

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