RB Leipzig is a German professional football club based in Leipzig, Saxony, founded in 2009 by Red Bull GmbH through acquiring the playing license of fifth-tier club SSV Markranstädt. The organization operates under the spin-off company RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH and plays home matches at the Red Bull Arena. The club’s objective from inception was to reach the Bundesliga—the top division of German football—within eight years, a goal they achieved by the 2016–17 season[1][4][5]. RB Leipzig’s rise has been rapid and remarkable. Starting in the fifth tier (NOFV-Oberliga Süd), the club earned successive promotions, reaching the Bundesliga in 2016. In their debut top-flight season, they finished as Bundesliga runners-up, becoming the first club in Bundesliga history to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in their first season at this level. Since then, RB Leipzig has become a regular participant in the Champions League, reaching the semifinals in 2020—a significant achievement for a relatively young club[1][3][4]. The club is recognized for a **high-energy playing style** emphasizing pressing and quick transitions under innovative coaches like Julian Nagelsmann. RB Leipzig also places strong emphasis on youth development, running a comprehensive academy with 16 youth teams and a women’s team, showing commitment to nurturing talent and expanding football culture in the region[5][8]. However, RB Leipzig’s corporate ownership model has been controversial in Germany, where traditional football clubs are often member-owned. Critics argue that Red Bull’s influence clashes with the German football culture, while supporters see the club as revitalizing professional football in former East Germany, an area historically underrepresented in top-tier German football[1][2]. Key achievements include back-to-back DFB Pokal (German Cup) titles in 2022 and 2023, consistent Bundesliga top finishes, and establishing themselves as a competitive force in European football within 15 years of foundin