RB Leipzig's Sports Director, Ralf Rangnick, says he wouldn't sign Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi for his side given their age and experience. The 58-year-old's team are currently atop of the Bundesliga table three points ahead of defending champions, Bayern Munich.
Rangnick and his RB Leipzig side have developed quite the reputation in European football with their approach to signing only youngsters while showing 30-plus-year-olds the door. The average age of the squad managed by Ralph Hasenhüttl is only 23 and they're all mostly from the same project that's seen the club gain four promotions in seven years.
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And when asked about whether he'd prefer to sign Barcelona's Lionel Messi or Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Rangnick said he'd pick neither given their age and how it would go against what RB Leipzig are trying to achieve in the Bundesliga.
"It would be absurd to think that it could work with them here," the former Hoffenheim manager said with a sly grin. "They are both too old and too expensive."
Given RB Leipzig have chosen to invest in young stars, you can see where the insistence to not chose amongst two of the world's biggest stars comes from. His side signed 19-year-old Oliver Burke from Nottingham Forest this season as well as both 21-year-old Naby Keita and 21-year-old Bernardo from their sister club RB Salzburg over at Austria.
"We have the youngest team – and most inexperienced – in the league," he added.
RB Leipzig have been subject to a lot of criticism in the Bundesliga this season for failing to stick to the ethical rules of having their club owned by supporters. But the former favourite for the England manager role says fans don't like something new and what's happening with Leipzig isn't the first time there's been an outcry on similar lines.
"Whenever a new club comes along, fans of rival teams see them as an opponent and an enemy,” he said.
"It was the same with Hoffenheim, we were disliked in the second division, but really disliked when we went up to the Bundesliga.
"Then we played Bayern and we were top, and everyone was supporting us.
"There are people, not just in Leipzig, who think we deserve what is happening to us right now.
"Neutrals will say we deserve what we have with such young players."
RB Leipzig are currently on top of the Bundesliga table by three points and face the defending champions, Bayern Munich, on December 21st.
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