Kristaps Grabovskis may not be a name you’re familiar with right now, but in a few years, you might see him on the roster for a Bundesliga match for the major club RB Leipzig. He’s already a well-known figure on social media, though, with over 30,000 followers on Instagram.

In 2019, the 16-year-old from Latvia participated in the Kronborg Cup with Tonsser, which won its age group. There, the offensive, technically skilled forward caught the attention of many. The talent of this U-17 national team player was impossible to overlook.

In the fall of 2021, Kristaps transferred from FS Metta in Latvia to the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig—the club where Yussuf Poulsen currently plays. Kristaps has signed a three-year contract with the major club as an academy player. Regarding his move to a major club like RB Leipzig, Kristaps says:

"I absolutely love it! I knew what to expect from a club of this caliber and how prepared I needed to be."

Kristaps now leads a somewhat different life as a youth player on Leipzig’s U-17 team. Not surprisingly, soccer takes up a lot of his daily life. His routine now consists of school and practice. Some weeks, Leipzig schedules two practices a day, depending on whether there are games during the week.

Although Kristaps has to get used to a new reality, the move to Leipzig is something he has been working toward for many years. Having grown up playing soccer in Latvia’s youth development system, Kristaps has always been eager to become a professional soccer player.

Great memories from the Kronborg Cup
Kristaps played a major role in Tonsser’s success at the 2019 Kronborg Cup. Kristaps believes that tournaments like the Kronborg Cup are a great way to get noticed and challenge yourself, but also an opportunity for everyone to do what they’re passionate about;

"Tournaments like the Kronborg Cup are a great way for young players to get noticed and showcase their skills. But most importantly, it’s just about having a good, fair competition, full of excitement, and doing what they’re passionate about all weekend—namely, soccer."

Kristaps has fond memories of the Kronborg Cup, and he especially remembers the final at Helsingør Stadium, where Tonsser lifted the trophy after a 2-0 victory;

"The final is definitely my best memory. That's when the emotions and the pressure were at their peak. We dominated the game as a team, and I was very pleased with the team's performance and my own."

Kristaps isn't the only player from the Tonsser team who has signed with a professional club since the Kronborg Cup. Phun Mang transferred to Esbjerg FB in the fall of 2019.

Big Dreams for the Future
Kristaps has big dreams for the future as a top soccer player. In five years, Kristaps hopes to be a professional soccer player, performing on the big stage in front of many fans and, hopefully, helping to win professional titles;

"I've always dreamed big and taken it one step at a time. Right now, my big dream is, of course, to make my debut in the Bundesliga and later in the Champions League."

The rivalry sparked an interest in soccer
Kristaps started playing soccer when he was five years old and was particularly inspired by Messi and Ronaldo, who motivated him to take up the sport. Kristaps’ role model is Messi, whom he has followed since he started playing soccer, and he is very impressed that Messi is still able to perform at the highest level.

Kristaps' favorite soccer memory is the 2012 El Clásico, in which Messi and Ronaldo each scored two goals. He was deeply impressed by both their performances and their rivalry.

Kristaps describes himself as an offensive player who wants to influence the game and create scoring opportunities in the box. Kristaps draws inspiration from many players, but wants to be recognized for his own playing style.

The Kronborg Cup wishes Kristaps all the best for the future.