Florian Wirtz:
Born in Pulheim, Germany, on May 3, 2003, Florian Wirtz has quickly risen through the ranks of professional football to become one of the sport’s most talked-about talents. Wirtz plays attacking midfield for Bayer Leverkusen and the German national team, and his combination of technical skill, vision, and inventiveness has led to comparisons to some of the greatest players in history.
After starting his football career with SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, Wirtz transferred to the development academy of 1. FC Köln in 2010. He was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 as a result of his outstanding performances. Wirtz became the youngest player to make his Bundesliga debut for Leverkusen at the age of just 17 years and 15 days. Soon after, he made history by becoming the second-youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history when he scored against Bayern Munich.
Gaining Notoriety
The growth that Wirtz has experienced at Leverkusen has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has become a key member of Leverkusen’s midfield thanks to his ability to read the game, dribble, and pass with accuracy. He made 134 Bundesliga games by the end of the 2023–24 campaign, scoring 34 goals and dishing out multiple assists.
Florian Wirtz – Career Statistics
Club Career Stats
| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Bayer Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Bayer Leverkusen | All Competitions | 38 | 8 | 7 |
| 2021–22 | Bayer Leverkusen | All Competitions | 31 | 10 | 14 |
| 2022–23 | Bayer Leverkusen | All Competitions | 25 | 4 | 8 |
| 2023–24 | Bayer Leverkusen | All Competitions | 49 | 18 | 20 |
| 2024–25* | Bayer Leverkusen | Ongoing | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 159 | 44 | 54 |
International Career Stats (Germany)
| Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 3 | 5 |
UEFA European Competitions (Leverkusen)
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Europa League | 32 | 8 | 10 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 1 | 2 |
Strengths and Playing Style
Wirtz is renowned for his superb vision and skill at making sharp passes that breach defenses. He is a continual threat in the attacking third because of his ability to dribble in confined areas. Although he is primarily an offensive midfielder, he can play a variety of midfield roles due to his versatility. His maturity on the ball and ability to make pivotal contributions at pivotal times are frequently cited by analysts.
Achievements and Honors
Club Honors:
Bundesliga Champion: 2023–24
DFB-Pokal Winner: 2023–24
DFL-Supercup Winner: 2024
UEFA Europa League Runner-up: 2023–24
Individual Accolades:
Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2023–24
UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24
Fritz Walter Medal U19 Gold: 2022
Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2023–24
VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2023–24
ESM Team of the Year: 2023–24
