In the quest to dethrone Bayern Munich and break their decade-long Bundesliga dominance, Borussia Dortmund has found an inspiring figure in Karim Adeyemi. Since the World Cup, the German international has been a revelation, and his statistics speak volumes.
With six goals and five assists in just 705 minutes of Bundesliga action in 2023, Adeyemi boasts an impressive record of being involved in a Dortmund goal every 64 minutes. Surpassing all his counterparts in Germany and even outshining players across Europe’s major leagues, Adeyemi’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary.
And let’s not forget his sensational solo winner against Chelsea in the Champions League, a goal that showcased his immense talent. This lightning-fast winger, who can claim to be quicker than Usain Bolt at his peak over 30 meters, has truly come into his own, overcoming a slow start at the club.
Reflecting on his journey, Adeyemi says, “Last year was really tough for me and the team. We struggled for six months, not performing at our best. Personally, I had a difficult time as well. It takes time to adjust to this level of quality. Although I adapted quite well, I suffered an injury in my first game, making it even harder to bounce back. But I stayed motivated for the next six months, never giving up. Now, I can genuinely be proud of myself.”
Finally finding his footing on and off the pitch, Adeyemi has become a beloved figure among his teammates. Bonding over their shared love for anime, he has even launched his own podcast, engaging in conversations with a childhood friend. His move to Dortmund feels like the perfect fit.
“When I’m here, I feel at home, and that’s what matters most,” he expresses. Yet, when Adeyemi acknowledges that “everybody knows the city because of the club,” it reminds us that choosing Dortmund was a strategic football decision, the ideal environment for his development.
“I believe in taking things step by step,” Adeyemi explains. “I always consider what is best for myself and my journey. Dortmund was the perfect club for me.”
Even his previous move to Salzburg, after starting his youth career with Bayern Munich, was part of a master plan. Adeyemi is following in the footsteps of Erling Haaland, traversing the path from Salzburg to Dortmund, but he first made the leap to Austria.
“For a young player, playing time is crucial. Salzburg had a second team that competed against adults, allowing me to play in the second league as a 16-year-old. I played many games, adapting to men’s football, which is vital for a young player’s development,” Adeyemi explains. “If you progress, you can earn a spot in Salzburg’s first team, competing in the Champions League or Europa League. That experience is invaluable. Salzburg has exceptional players, and for me, it was the best move I could make.”
One can only imagine what experienced defenders thought when facing this exceptional youngster. The comparison to Bolt is not an idle boast. Adeyemi has been clocked at 3.60 seconds over 30 meters, while Bolt’s split time in his world-record run was 3.78.
Confidently claiming to be the fastest, Adeyemi laughs off the suggestion that anyone comes close. Will he consider the 2024 Olympics? He chuckles, “No, I don’t think so. I can’t. My focus is on football.”
Experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of the stadium during his goal against Chelsea was a moment of pure thrill. Adeyemi left Enzo Fernandez in his wake,
