Who is Brajan Gruda, RB Leipzig's new young star and Lionel Messi-chosen talent?
Brajan Gruda has returned to the Bundesliga from English Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion, joining RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season. Formerly of Mainz, we profile the talented youngster who has a special link to Lionel Messi...
Stats correct as of 2 February 2026
Age: 21 (born 31 May 2004)
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Attacking midfielder/winger/forward
Country: Germany (19 Germany U21 caps, three goals)
Key stats
Born in Speyer, on the banks of the river Rhine, Gruda is the son of an Albanian football playing father. Brajan soon showed a similar affinity for football and excelled at local side FC Speyer, before moving to the youth ranks at Karlsruhe. Mainz soon saw something in the raw, attacking talent and moved to place him in their U15 team, where he was quickly winning honours.
Watch: Gruda's Bundesliga goals & assists at Mainz
Gruda's time at Mainz really took off with the U19s in 2021/22. In fact, before long, the starlet was rewarded with a professional contract at the 05ers and was soon training with the senior pros at the club.
That natural progression led to the dual German/Albanian national making his Bundesliga debut for Mainz as an 18-year-old against Borussia Dortmund in January 2023. All the while, Gruda continued to excel with the U19s, weighing in with goals as Mainz won junior championship honours. His first senior goal, meanwhile, was a memorable strike against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 7 of the 2023/24 term.
Gruda has also long been involved in Germany's international set-up, progressing to make 19 appearances for the U21s. He has so far receive one call-up to the senior side, remaining on the bench for a friendly against Ukraine in June 2024. His talents were also recognised in the form of winning a silver Fritz Walter Medal in 2023.
After helping Mainz stay in the Bundesliga in 2023/24, Gruda moved to England with Brighton during the off-season. There, he made 45 appearances, scoring four times prior to this return to the German top flight with Leipzig.
Plays a bit like: Andrés Iniesta
Of course, the 2010 FIFA World Cup champion with Spain and serial title winner with Barcelona spent the majority of his playing time in midfield. However, he displayed plenty of the versatility that Gruda also possesses and the pair are not all that dissimilar in style when operating across the attacking line. Both possess superb close control, technique and balance along with the vision to pick out a long-range pass and ability to take on, and outpace, opponents. And just just like Iniesta, Gruda also boasts a mean shot.
Did you know?
Gruda is one of just 10 players in the world selected by Messi as the most talented youngsters in football. Those players get to wear special F50 Vis10n boots bearing Messi's name.
"I'm a huge fan of Messi. He's the best player of all time. It [being chosen] isn't a burden but great motivation. It's a big honour for me to get to wear his boots," Gruda said upon arrival at Leipzig when asked about the footwear.
What they're saying
"When the opportunity arose to bring Brajan on loan, we were immediately enthusiastic. We've had him on our radar for several years and would have liked to bring him to Leipzig in 2024. We see Brajan playing in the number eight and ten roles, where he gives us even more options." - Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer
“I was determined to join RB Leipzig as soon as it became clear that a winter transfer was possible for me. RB Leipzig is not only an absolute top club in Germany, but their style of play also suits me perfectly." - Gruda upon joining Leipzig
"Brajan is 19 years old, suffered a really serious injury, had a lot of stitches, and then he says he still wants to play. That makes a difference to other players when he shows so much courage and goes onto the field with so much power." - Ex-Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen speaking after Gruda's rapid return from a training-ground facial injury
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