Kerim Alajbegović: Who is the Bayer Leverkusen teenager breaking World Cup records?
Bosnia and Herzegovina international Kerim Alajbegović is set to return to Bayer Leverkusen after a sensational breakthrough season at Red Bull Salzburg and a group stage to remember at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Blessed with elegant technique, a turn of pace and the confidence to decide the biggest of matches, he has all the tools needed to make his mark in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen have built a reputation for nurturing elite young talent, and Alajbegović looks set to be the latest off the production line. Having left the Werkself for Red Bull Salzburg in search of first-team football last summer, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international bas been bought back just a year later and now returns with big expectations following a sensational World Cup campaign.
With goals, assists and senior international recognition already to his name, the versatile attacker will certainly be one to watch in the Bundesliga next term.
"Alajbegović will now take the next important steps in his professional career in Austria. We have high hopes for him and will be following his progress closely," explained Leverkusen's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes, this time last year. Twelve months on, Rolfes is no less convinced: "Alajbegović has not only met the high expectations placed on him in Salzburg, he has even exceeded them in a very short time."
In retrospect, Leverkusen will be glad they had that buy-back clause. The 18-year-old has not only shone at club level, he has also been delivering outstanding performances for his nation, Bosnia and Herzegovina. First, he scored the decisive penalty in the 5-3 shootout victory against Wales in the World Cup play-off semi-final, and now he's making a name for himself in the group stage.
Alajbegović blasted Bosnia and Herzegovina into a 1-0 lead against Qatar with a rasping shot from around 25 yards. At 18 years and 276 days old, the goal made Alajbegović the youngest player to score from outside the penalty area at a World Cup since detailed data collection began in 1966. In doing so, he surpassed France superstar Kylian Mbappé, who scored from distance at the 2018 World Cup at the age of 19 years and 207 days. Alajbegović is also now the eighth-youngest World Cup goalscorer overall, even younger than the likes of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
"That was a beautiful goal, and it's simply unbelievable that I scored like that at my age in my first major tournament. I'm really happy and grateful for it. It was simply unimaginable," he said afterwards in a FIFA interview, also revealing that he dedicated the goal to his parents.
At the subsequent press conference, Bosnia head coach - and former Bundesliga attacker - Sergej Barbarez proudly stated: "It's simply wonderful to have such a young player and know what he's capable of. Now he can finally show his skills, and we will do everything to ensure that this pressure doesn't overwhelm him. Because the expectations for him are naturally high."
Bayer also have high expectations for the 18-year-old in the new season. "His talent is immense, as is his ambition and his will to win. We're counting on him. Kerim has everything he needs to establish himself as a Werkself player in the coming years," said Kim Falkenberg, Leverkusen's director of football.
Leverkusen fans will have at least one more chance to see Alajbegović play on the biggest stage, as Bosnia face the United States in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. After that, the ambidextrous attacking midfielder will be joining up with the Leverkusen squad. "Many young players have made it big here. That's my goal too," Alajbegović stated.
