RB Leipzig’s Assan Ouédraogo Receives First Senior Call-Up to German National Team

An injury to Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri has resulted in RB Leipzig’s promising talent, Assan Ouédraogo, receiving his maiden call-up to the senior German men’s national team. National team head coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed his admiration for the 19-year-old’s development in the Bundesliga at a recent DFB press event.

Ouédraogo, who was sidelined for a significant portion of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season due to injury, had just earned his first call-up to the Germany U21 team during the recent October international break.

The young midfielder made a notable impact by scoring a goal for Antonio Di Salvo’s DFB-Juniors, emerging as one of the standout performers in the two U21 fixtures that took place.

In addition to his international success, Ouédraogo has been excelling at the club level, starting in the last seven league matches under RB Leipzig’s head coach Ole Werner. The Mülheim-native has contributed significantly with two goals and two assists in these appearances. Nagelsmann confirmed his decision to nominate Ouédraogo as a direct replacement for Amiri, whom he regards as an “offensive-minded” No. 6.

“I’m not someone who tends to overhype young players prematurely,” Nagelsmann acknowledged. “However, we have chosen to call up Assan Ouédraogo as a direct 1:1 replacement for Nadiem Amiri. Assan is currently performing exceptionally well in the Bundesliga. He is a young player with immense potential, akin to Said El Mala, and we are eager to see him in training.”

GGFN | Peter Weis