Ridle Baku

Bote Ridle Nzuzi Baku (born Bote Nzuzi Baku; 8 April 1998) is a German professional footballer who plays as a right-back, winger or midfielder for club RB Leipzig and the Germany national team.

Club career Mainz 05 In the 2017–18 season, Baku joined the squad of Mainz 05 II, making his debut in the Regionalliga Südwest on 30 July 2017 in a 3–0 home win against FSV Frankfurt. Baku scored his first goal for the reserve team on 16 September 2017, scoring Mainz's second in the 82nd minute of the 2–0 home win against Kickers Offenbach.

Baku made his professional debut for Mainz 05 in the 2017–18 DFB-Pokal on 19 December 2017, starting in the 3–1 home win against VfB Stuttgart. He made his Bundesliga debut on 29 April 2018 in the 3–0 home win against RB Leipzig. Baku secured the victory for Mainz, scoring the final goal of the match in the 90th minute.

VfL Wolfsburg

2020–21 season On 1 October 2020, Baku completed a move to fellow Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, for an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract. He made his club debut three days later in a 0–0 draw with Augsburg, replacing Renato Steffen who had tested positive for COVID-19. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Hertha Berlin on 1 November.

Baku impressed in his first season at the club and was named to the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Baku scored again two weeks later in a come-from-behind league win over Hertha Berlin.

RB Leipzig On 10 January 2025, Baku signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with RB Leipzig. Later that year, on 5 April, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Hoffenheim.

International career Baku earned his first call-up for the German senior team on 8 November 2020. His debut came on 11 November 2020, in a friendly game against the Czech Republic. On 6 June 2021, he won the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2021 with the Germany U21, giving the assist to the solitary goal against Portugal.

On 11 November 2021, he scored his first senior international goal in a 9–0 victory over Liechtenstein during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Style of play Baku has been described as an energetic right full-back who can both inflict damage going forward while possessing the defensive nous to hold things together defensively when on the back foot. He was given the nickname "Ridle" by his father, who was a fan of German footballer Karl-Heinz Riedle. In 2018, Baku had his name legally changed to include Ridle.

Career statistics Club

International

+ List of international goals scored by Ridle BakuNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1 11 November 2021 Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany 3 7–0 9–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 2 17 November 2025 Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany 8 5–0 6–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours Germany U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2021

Individual UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2021 Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2020–21