Assan Ouedraogo a last-minute Germany call-up
Made his international debut in November 2025
Plays club football for Bundesliga side Leipzig
head coach was quick to heap praise on rising star Assan Ouedraogo after handing the Leipzig midfielder a late call-up to replace the injured in his 26-man squad.
"With Assan Ouedraogo, we're bringing in a player who, much like [Lennart Karl], made a brilliant debut for us. He's highly talented and should be allowed to play with confidence and freely," Nagelsmann enthused.
Leipzig and Germany team-mate David Raum echoed that sentiment, saying: "He's a really good lad who gets on with everyone. His heart's in the right place. I say he's kind of everyone's darling."
Ouedraogo is widely appreciated for his laid-back demeanour, but also enjoys immense trust from his teammates on the pitch. While primarily deployed in central midfield by Leipzig, he can also operate further forward or fill in on the wing if needed.
Despite his youth, the 20-year-old already shows an exceptional understanding of space, consistently finding pockets where he can receive the ball and progress play. Once in possession, he instinctively looks forward, either threading incisive passes or combining quickly through tight lines with sharp one-twos.
That ability to play between the lines is matched by his physical presence. Built strongly for his age, the Mülheim an der Ruhr native uses his frame intelligently to shield the ball before driving forward with purpose, often forcing defenders into fouls when they try to stop him in 1v1 situations.
Last season for Leipzig, Ouedraogo played in a more advanced role, registering eight goal involvements in 20 appearances. He's not afraid to try his luck from range, with three of his four goals coming from outside the penalty area. The midfield live wire is also comfortable on his supposedly weaker left foot, making him a nightmare for defenders to read.
Against Werder Bremen on Bundesliga Matchday 11, Ouedraogo found the net with a 25-yard left-footed thunderbolt. The strike came just days after he had scored on his Germany debut – an effort that offered a perfect snapshot of what makes him so special. Drifting into space in the penalty area, he created just enough room to finish off a fine move involving Leroy Sane with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
"He has some serious pace, a fascinating physical profile, and also provides a real goal threat with intelligent finishing. He relies much more on precision than pure power," Nagelsmann said of the youngster.
The Germany tactician also highlighted Ouedraogo's resilience: "He's been through a rough patch, which I wouldn't wish on anyone, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing for a career when things don't go perfectly smoothly. Sometimes you have to experience adversity and, as a player, learn how to grind your way back from those low points."
Repeatedly hampered by injuries since his 2024 move from Schalke to Leipzig – a decision made amid interest from several top clubs and driven by the promise of regular minutes and UEFA Champions League football – Ouedraogo has had to do exactly that.
A knee injury shortly before the 2024/25 season opener kept him sidelined for over eight weeks. After returning in early November, he then suffered a season-ending hamstring tear later that month. Further setbacks followed last term, with Ouedraogo repeatedly forced to fight his way back into first-team contention. Yet his ability to regain top form after long layoffs – particularly at such a young age – has set him apart.
Following his comeback in early April, Leipzig won five of their final seven Bundesliga matches, with Ouedraogo growing in influence with each appearance. On the final day of the season against Freiburg, he completed his first full 90 minutes for the Saxony club, capping it with a crisp, long-range strike.
Now, he heads across the Atlantic to Canada, Mexico and the USA looking to carry that momentum into the World Cup, ready to play his part the Germans' bid for a record-equalling fifth world crown.
Sources: FIFA Official
