With Christopher Nkunku, it’s not just his balloon celebration against Donetsk that causes a stir. The France international is back in top form. Just in time for the World Cup in Qatar.
Even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher let himself be carried away to a little stupidity. Live in the CBS Champions League broadcast, today’s TV expert blew up a red balloon. He immediately felt happier, said the 44-year-old with a laugh.
Carragher was inspired by the probably unique goal celebration of RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, who took a red balloon out of the socket and inflated it after his opening goal in the 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The French national soccer player actually only wanted to greet his two-year-old son – and went viral on social media.
Nkunku has played a key role in the successful series
“It’s nice that as a dad you think of your family when you score and can send a message like that. It’s a nice moment,” said coach Marco Rose. The victory against Donetsk in Warsaw not only gave Leipzig the round of 16 of the premier class, but also the first highlight of Rose’s tenure. Because after two defeats in the first two games, the cup winners were hardly expected to reach the knockout stage.
Nkunku has been a formative part of the winning streak of ten games without defeat in all competitions. Not just with his three goals in six Champions League games. But above all through a crucial hint to his coach. “Everyone knows his quality. And he helped me along the way,” explained Rose. “In the first two games he played offensively on the left. Then he came to me and said he had to get closer to the goal because he felt more comfortable there. He scored straight away and that makes the coach happy too To have taken his player’s advice.”
It takes a certain amount of self-confidence to even confront the coach with something like that. But Nkunku has developed a standing through the past season, in which he was voted Germany’s footballer of the year, through which he can take certain things. The move forward is good for Nkunku and thus for the club.
Nkunku’s focus is on RB
The 24-year-old is currently back in the condition that gave him his breakthrough last season and later a call-up to the French national team. Good timing, one might think three weeks before the World Cup in Qatar. But Nkunku declines. “The World Cup is not now, my focus is on RB. After that I think about the World Cup. A lot can still happen,” said the offensive player and emphasized again that he hadn’t really changed anything in the past few weeks. Good form came with success.
The offensive player is still under contract in Leipzig until 2026, but has long aroused the desires of top European clubs. Recently there have been rumors that Nkunku has agreed with Chelsea about a change next summer. The player and RB Leipzig did not comment on this.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
