French-Angolan defender Castello Lukeba has taken a crucial step toward his return to action. The 21-year-old hit the pitch on Thursday for an individual training session, marking his first appearance since sustaining a thigh muscle injury. This milestone fuels optimism for his recovery after being sidelined for nearly two weeks.
Lukeba suffered the injury during RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga clash against VfL Wolfsburg, a disappointing 1–5 defeat. Initially, medical reports predicted a two-month absence, but his early return to light training hints at a potentially shorter timeline. The coming weeks will determine whether his progress alters this forecast.
Born in France to Angolan parents, Lukeba has quickly established himself as a promising talent. On 11 August 2023, RB Leipzig secured his services from Olympique Lyonnais for a reported €34 million, penning a five-year deal. Just eight days later, he made his Bundesliga debut in a narrow 3–2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
As Leipzig eyes a pivotal phase in their campaign, Lukeba’s return could be a timely boost to their defensive line.
