Assan Ouédraogo on RB Leipzig teammate Ridle Baku’s Germany return: “Keep working and a comeback is always possible.”

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Among the new call ups to the Germany U21 squad, RB Leipzig attacker Assan Ouédraogo is looking forward to putting a difficult year behind him and taking the next step for country. The former Germany U20 international barely featured for RB Leipzig last season. The former Schalke 04 star has nevertheless found his feet this year, starting the last there Bundesliga fixtures under RB head coach Ole Werner. 

Ouédraogo has gotten his name on the scoresheet in two of his three starts, scoring a goal and adding an assist. The 19-year-old also capped a solid summer training camp by adding an assist in Leipzig’s opening round Pokal victory. Signs are emerging that the once highly touted mega-talent may finally be close to living up to his potential.

Ouédraogo addressed his disappointing first season with Leipzig and his new chance for both club and country at a Wednesday DFB press event. The teenage talent also isn’t the only one looking forward to a coming “DFB Field Trip” that will see Antonio Di Salvo’s U21s meet up with Julian Nagelsmann’s senior team in Belfast over the weekend.

“There was a Iot of bad luck and it was a tough time,” Ouédraogo said of his disappointing 2024/25 season. “This summer was primarily about staying healthy and gradually getting back into my rhythm. I never thought it would actually go so well, but I’m definitely grateful for it. Here [at the U21s], it’s about me making my mark and showing that I exist.”

When he meets up with the senior team, Ouédraogo will have a chance to see club teammate Ridle Baku  – who himself has proven that no amount of adversity is too much to overcome – in a senior DFB tricot. Baku returned to the German national team after an absence of nearly four years last week. 

“[Ridle] is a sign,” Ouedraogo noted with a smile. “That you can and should always keep working on yourself and that a comeback is always possible. After all, he was last there almost four years ago.”

GGFN | Peter Weis