Goals, records and a bet to settle

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RB Leipzig

·15 May 2026

Goals, records and a bet to settle

The last open training session of the season had everything you want from a good day at Cottaweg: 1,400 fans, autographs, photos – and Rômulo with one more target still in his sights before Freiburg. For our number 40, Saturday is not just about the chance to set a new points record with RBL. There is also a private bet he is desperate to win.

After the session, the Brazilian spoke about his first season in Leipzig, the club's return to the Champions League and the aim of making history one more time in Freiburg.

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Settled in Leipzig

Rômulo has now been in Leipzig for nine months. Nine months full of new experiences, new opponents, new routines. For the Brazilian striker, it has been a year of adapting to a new league – and one that has already brought plenty of rewards.

“I’m very happy – both with my own performances and with how the team has played,” said Rômulo.

There was always going to be an adjustment period. Rômulo came into a new league, with a different tempo and different expectations, and he sees that simply as part of the move. “That’s normal. I’m still young. I’m new to this league. I have to adapt quickly.”

His first Bundesliga season has given him plenty to build on over the summer: the goals, the assists, the tight games and the sense that there is still more to come.

A lifelong dream fulfilled

Rômulo has already achieved one major goal in his first season: next term, he will play Champions League football. For him, it is no ordinary competition, but something many Brazilian players dream about from a young age.

“I think Brazilian players have two dreams: to play for the national team and to play in the Champions League. One of them has now come true. Maybe the other one will happen in the future too.”

His family were asking straight after the St. Pauli game when the first Champions League match would be, which says plenty about what the moment means. They want to be there for Rômulo’s debut in the competition.

With nine goals and four assists, our striker has certainly done his bit to help RBL return to Europe’s biggest stage.

One final game for the history books

Champions League qualification is secure and third place is wrapped up, but Freiburg will not be a gentle end to the season for RBL. A win there would take the Red Bulls to 68 points, more than the club have ever managed in a Bundesliga campaign.

The current club best came in 2016/17, when RBL shook up the league as a newly-promoted side and finished runners-up with 67 points. This team now have the chance to go one better.

Rômulo knows what is at stake on Saturday: “It’s very important for us because we can make RBL history. We can be the first team to reach 68 points. That’s not just important for Marcel Schäfer, but for the team.”

The managing director for sport has made no secret of how much he wants that record. Asked about the chance to set a new points best, Marcel Schäfer said: “I'm desperate for us to do so. I absolutely want us to get that points record.”

A bet still to settle

For Rômulo, there is also a personal subplot in Freiburg. Before the season, he and his wife made a bet on how many goals he would score in his first year at RBL. As for the exact number, he’s keeping that to himself.

All he will reveal, with a smile, is this: “I still need a few goals to win. But I’ve got one game left. Maybe I’ll manage it.”

If Rômulo loses, his wife gets a present. If he wins, he gets one instead. From an RBL point of view, the ideal scenario is obvious: Rômulo scores, RBL win and the season ends with a club-record tally of 68 points.