Ten years ago this week, RB Leipzig were going head to head with ZFC Meuselwitz, Chemnitzer FC and Hertha Berlin’s reserves in the fourth tier of German football.
They do say Red Bull gives you wings and, in the case of this rapidly rising footballing powerhouse, it’s hard to argue.
Last season, RB Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga and were an Angel di Maria masterclass away from taking on rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
Earlier this month, Julian Nagelsmann’s vibrant young side took some measure of revenge on Paris Saint-Germain too, with a 2-1 triumph in their most famous European win so far.
The next step, obviously, is a trophy.
But, as Tottenham Hotspur fans will tell you, challenging for silverware is one thing – winning it is an altogether different task.
Bayern Munich are more fearsome now than at any point since the Pep Guardiola era, with the world’s most in-form footballer, Robert Lewandowski, celebrating 68 goals in his last 58 games.
Borussia Dortmund may be as flawed as ever but, with Gio Reyna, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland in their ranks, the future promises to be bright at Signal Iduna Park.
So while Christopher Nkunku may dream of spraying champagne into the Leipzig sky, turning that into reality is easier said than done.
“I haven’t come to Leipzig just to disappear right away,” the former PSG starlet told BILD, via Get German Football News, in July.
“I’m not running off to a bigger club. I want to win something with RB Leipzig.”
Such comments make a mockery of suggestions Arsenal could come calling, with BILD reporting Mikel Arteta has identified the £35 million playmaker as the solution to his creativity problems.
And with good reason.
A set-piece specialist with the ability to produce something out of nothing, Nkunku finished just short of Kevin de Bruyne, Lionel Messi and co last term with 16 assists making him one of Europe’s most prolific creators.
But Arsenal may have no choice but to sit back and hope Leipzig nab the DFB Pokal from under Bayern’s nose this season.
Because, until he has silverware in his grasp, Nkunku isn’t going anywhere – and that’s from the man himself.
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