“The goal goes to him”
Bundesliga player becomes emotional after his goal
April 25, 2026 – 10:48 amReading time: 1 min.
Because captain David Raum was unavailable, Max Finkgräfe moved into the Leipzig team. And the left-back scored directly into the opponent’s goal. An emotional moment for him.
Max Finkgräfe stretched his index finger to the sky and was emotionally exhausted after his debut goal for RB Leipzig. “I dreamed of that. I hit the ball really well and of course I’m very happy. The goal goes to my grandpa. He passed away recently. I hope he’s happy,” said the 22-year-old full-back after the 3-1 win against Union Berlin.
In front of 47,800 spectators in the sold-out Red Bull Arena, he gave Leipzig the lead in the 22nd minute with a long-range shot after Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow could only fend off Yan Diomandé’s ball in the middle. Leopold Querfeld headed the ball directly at the feet of Finkgräfe, who, following his grandfather’s tip – “just shoot at it” – scored a remarkable goal.
After saluting the sky, he buried his face in his hands in disbelief, while his teammates behind him were just as emotionally touched.
After captain David Raum was injured, Finkgräfe was allowed to start from the start, as he did in the 3-1 win in Frankfurt. That already gave him a boost.
“I have developed extremely personally – both as a person and as a footballer. That was my goal. Next season I’ll try to take the next step,” said the left-back, who came from 1. FC Köln last summer.
