Salzburg: Red Bull has been so synonymous with sports lovers over the years due to their active investment in all kinds of sports. But football is something in which they grew rapidly and had an incredible journey till now. RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Bragantino are the four clubs currently owned by the company.
While their professionalism, commercialisation and efficiency in developing the game from grassroots to professional levels have seen accolades, their relentless approach to change the system of clubs has received indignation from some parts of the footballing circle.
Let us look at how they have progressed through their journey so far.
RED BULL SALZBURG
Red Bull’s takeover of the Austrian club Salzburg in 2005 came with a fair amount of controversy when they completely changed the dynamics of the club without even sparing the emotion and history attached to it causing displeasure among the fans. But soon followed their prowess on the field claiming 10 titles in the Austrian Bundesliga since 2006-07 has been a revelation. They have also appeared multiple times in the UEFA Champions League as well as winning the UEFA Youth League title in the 2016-17 season.
Besides that, their development structure in the club has fed the footballing world with some prominent names. Sadio Mane, the Senegalese forward played for the club from 2012 to 2014 before signing for Liverpool in 2016 and becoming UEFA Champions League winner in 2019 with them.
Naby Keita, considered as one of the best box-to-box midfielders actually played for both the Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig before moving to Liverpool in 2019 claiming the Premier League title in 2020.
Erling Braut Haaland, the Norwegian striker is currently one of the hot properties of world football with his uncanny goalscoring abilities seen in the group stages of 2019-20 Champions League when he scored a hat-trick on his debut before moving to Borrusia Dortmund and has been in great form.
RB LEIPZIG
RB Leipzig or RasenBallsport Bull Leipzig is probably the most ambitious project so far taken by the brand with their continuous rise to the top tier of German football. They qualified for the UEFA Champions League in 2017 and went to the semifinals of 2019-20 playing a certain brand of football that captured a lot of attention.
Just like their Salzburg counter-part, they have also groomed a few players. Timo Werner, one of the best young players in Germany was in superb form during his time at the club before moving to Chelsea FC in 2020.
Konrad Laimer, the Austrian midfielder, though doesn’t really get the headlines but considered as one of the best box-to-box midfielders with stunning stats especially in pressing opponents.
Dayot Upamecano, the young French defender, who is currently making headlines with his game reading, pace and tackling ability has been attracting a lot of interest from big clubs across Europe.
Christopher Nkunku, another new addition from the long list of upcoming French talents has been with this club since 2019 and currently thriving in the Bundesliga.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Red Bull’s approach to making the development went over the ocean in the United States as well with their founding of New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer back in 2006 taking over playing rights of the formerly known MetroStars club competing in the Eastern Conference. But their success on the field hasn’t been much to speak about with three MLS Supporters’ Shield since 2013. The most memorable moment came when the club signed French legend Thierry Henry in 2010 who is the third-highest goal-scorer for them netting 52 times.
RED BULL BRAGANTINO
A project by the conglomerate with hopes to develop the level of the game in Brazil domestic circuit, Red Bull Bragantino was founded back in after the deal between Clube Atlético Bragantino and Red Bull back in 2019 before a new logo was introduced in 2020. They compete in the Brazilian first division the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and have been quite steady.
