Ouedraogo’s statement with a 13-month delay

On Saturday evening, Assan Ouedraogo was a man in demand not only on the pitch but also off it, where the media gathered around him in the mixed zone after RB Leipzig’s 3-1 victory over 1. FC Köln.

For the 19-year-old, who is still learning to navigate the spotlight that comes with being one of German football’s most promising talents, the sudden surge of attention seemed almost overwhelming. He admitted as much with honesty and a touch of humor: “You can tell I’m not really the interview type,” he said with a shy smile, almost apologizing for his short, clipped answers to reporters.

While the teenager may not yet enjoy the public attention, he will have every reason to remember September 20, 2025, as a turning point in his career. For the first time since joining RB Leipzig from Schalke 04 in July 2024, Ouedraogo was handed a starting place and he seized the opportunity with both hands. His performance was capped by his maiden goal for the club. After a headed assist from Brazilian striker Romulo, Ouedraogo initially scuffed his shot, but reacted instinctively to bury the second attempt with a powerful strike under the crossbar, giving Leipzig a 1-0 lead. The relief and pride were written all over his face.

Match report
RB Leipzig 3:1 1. FC Köln

Head coach Ole Werner, who took charge at Leipzig earlier this season, explained his decision to trust Ouedraogo from the start: “He had a very good week in training, and I wanted his qualities security on the ball, goal threat, and the ability to find the final pass on the field.” That trust was rewarded. Ouedraogo not only scored but also showed flashes of the vision, composure, and decision-making that made him one of the most talked-about prospects in German football while still at Schalke.

The teenager’s journey to this moment has not been straightforward. Standing at 1.91 meters, Ouedraogo combines physical presence with technical finesse a rare profile for a midfielder of his age. Developed at Union Mülheim before joining Schalke 04’s famed Knappenschmiede academy, he grew up in an environment known for producing top-level German internationals. When RB Leipzig secured his signature in the summer of 2024 for a fee of ten million euros, it was seen as both a bold investment and a statement of intent. The expectation was that Ouedraogo would quickly become a key figure in the club’s midfield evolution.

Yet, reality proved far harsher. Shortly after arriving, he suffered a serious knee injury, followed by a tendon problem in his thigh. These setbacks sidelined him for nine months, preventing him from establishing himself during his first year in Saxony. By the end of the 2024/25 campaign, he had only five appearances to his name all of them short cameos in the Bundesliga or Champions League. For a player hyped as one of Germany’s brightest teenage stars, it was a frustrating introduction to life at a new club.

That is why Saturday night carried so much emotional weight. When he finally broke his scoring duck, Ouedraogo admitted: “There’s always room for improvement, but overall I’m very satisfied. I was just happy to be on the pitch. And after the goal, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders I was a little proud in that moment.” His words reflected not only joy but also relief after months of rehabilitation, doubts, and waiting for his chance.

Leipzig fans will also be encouraged. The club has long prided itself on scouting and developing young talents, from Naby Keïta to Dayot Upamecano and Dominik Szoboszlai. Ouedraogo fits the mold: young, athletic, versatile, and ambitious. Saturday’s performance suggested he could soon join that lineage. His ability to play both as a number eight, driving the team forward, or as a number ten, linking attack and midfield, gives Werner tactical flexibility.

For the team, his emergence comes at a crucial time. Leipzig are aiming to stay competitive in both the Bundesliga title race and the Champions League group stage, where they are once again facing some of Europe’s elite. Adding a fit, hungry, and technically gifted midfielder to the rotation could make a significant difference across a demanding season.

Beyond the tactical implications, Ouedraogo’s breakthrough also carries symbolic weight. Injuries had left some questioning whether Leipzig had paid too much too soon. Now, with his first start and first goal behind him, the young German has shown exactly why the club invested in him. The raw talent that caught scouts’ eyes at Schalke is beginning to translate into performances at the highest level.

For Ouedraogo personally, the night was both an ending and a beginning. The end of a long recovery period filled with frustration and setbacks and the beginning of what could be his true Leipzig story. Though still modest and cautious in his words, his body language on the pitch spoke volumes: confident touches, calm distribution, and the determination of a player who wants to make up for lost time.

September 20, 2025, will go down as the day Assan Ouedraogo announced himself in Leipzig colors. If he can stay fit and continue to grow, it may also be remembered as the moment a new midfield leader began to emerge.