At just 18 years, 7 months and 24 days, Kerim Alajbegović has been named Sofascore Player of the Season for the Austrian Bundesliga 2025/26 with a 7.32 Sofascore Rating. The Red Bull Salzburg winger becomes the youngest-ever winner on our platform, capping what is essentially his first full professional campaign.

He finished ahead of LASK forward Moses Usor on 7.30 and Rapid Wien defender Andrés Andrade on 7.27. Not bad company for a teenager who plays his football off the left and is comfortable with both feet.

A record-breaking season in Austria

Alajbegović’s consistency powered Salzburg’s push, and the numbers explain why he topped the league charts on Sofascore. Across 28 league matches he averaged 68 minutes, scoring 9 goals and adding 3 assists. That output came with creativity to spare, highlighted by 1.79 key passes per 90.

The winger was difficult to contain in space, completing 2.40 successful dribbles per 90. He also held his own in physical battles with 6.78 duels won per 90. For a 185 cm wide player still growing into senior football, the blend of flair and reliability stands out.

Big-game snapshots you could feel

His highest Sofascore Ratings show a steady climb and a few fireworks. There were strong outings on 22 Feb (8.2), 19 Apr (8.5) and 1 Mar (8.6), plus a standout 9.5 on 9 Aug. The headline came on 14 Dec with a perfect 10, the mark every player chases.

Those peaks match the eye test. From long-range efforts to calm finishes, he keeps showing composure in pressure moments that Bosnia and Herzegovina fans, and opponents like Wales and Italy, know well.

Why scouts are circling

The toolkit is complete for a modern winger: chance creation, ball-carrying and end product. His proposed market value sits at €13.6m, and interest from major European clubs is no surprise. On Sofascore, his week-to-week curve suggests he is ready for the next competitive step.

For Salzburg, it is another academy success story delivering at senior level. For the national team, it is a rising star heading into a World Cup year with confidence.

What to watch next

Can Alajbegović turn those 68-minute cameos into 90-minute clinics? If his per-90 profile holds with more minutes, the ceiling moves again. The baseline is already elite for his age, and the 7.32 season average proves it.

Congratulations to Kerim on a historic award. From all of us at Sofascore, enjoy the moment, then bring that form to the world stage.