Bundesliga
Leipzig's 'Little Messi'
With X-ray vision and a wand of a left foot, Andrija Maksimović is all set to take the Bundesliga by storm after arriving at RB Leipzig from Red Star Belgrade. We put the young Serbia international under the microscope...
Stats correct as of 16 July
Andrija Maksimović
Age: 18 (born 5 June 2007)
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Serbia (eight caps)
A supremely-talented attacker with immense potential, Maksimović has both the ability and self belief to power his way to the very top of the game. The son of former Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 international Marko, Maksimović junior was setting significant age records with Red Star Belgrade to the delight of the club's passionate fans.
An impressive loan spell at Grafičar Beograd brought a Serbian SuperLiga debut at 16. On his return to his parent side, he became both the youngest player to provide an assist in the derby against Red Star's fierce rivals Partizan Belgrade and the youngest scorer in the fixture the following campaign.
Already boasting UEFA Champions League experience against the likes of 2025 finalists Inter Milan as well as Barcelona, Maksimović's experience at such a tender age is as impressive as his ability to command both central attacking and left-sided roles.
Maksimović became Serbia's youngest-ever debutant at 17 in a senior victory against Switzerland in 2024 and he has since racked up eight caps to add to his almost 30 games at youth international level.
Plays a bit like: Florian Wirtz
With incredible vision, tricky feet, a fondness for turning players inside out and finishing akin to artistry, Maksimović's on-field presence is not all that dissimilar to ex-Bayer Leverkusen schemer and Bundesliga winner Florian Wirtz.
Did you know?
Maksimović is fondly known in Serbia as "Little Messi," in large part because of his style of play but also because he had the same long hairstyle as the Argentinian World champion at a young age.
What they're saying
"I’m not nervous. This is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the Champions League and we're playing in our stadium. The stands will be full and I’m glad I’ll be playing against the great Barcelona." - Maksimović speaks ahead of Red Star's meeting with the Catalan giants in 2024
"Tomorrow, I'll take the field to prove I'm better than Lamine Yamal. I also intend to swap jerseys with him. He’s an exceptional player." - Maksimović expresses his determination to outshine his famous counterpart in European competition