Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz was born on May 3, 2003, in Pulheim, Germany. He demonstrated prodigious football talent from a young age, leading him to join local club SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler before moving to 1. FC Köln's youth academy in 2010.

In January 2020, Florian Wirtz transferred from 1. FC Köln's youth academy to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. At Leverkusen, Wirtz quickly progressed through the ranks due to his exceptional skill and tactical intelligence, earning his first professional contract with the club soon after.

Florian Wirtz made his Bundesliga debut for Bayer Leverkusen on May 18, 2020, in a match against Werder Bremen, becoming the youngest debutant in Leverkusen's Bundesliga history at just 17 years and 15 days old. His debut was marked by a confident performance, showcasing his potential at the highest level of German football.

On June 6, 2020, Florian Wirtz scored his first Bundesliga goal for Bayer Leverkusen in a match against Bayern Munich. This goal made him the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history at the time, at the age of 17 years and 34 days, demonstrating his precocious talent.

Florian Wirtz received his first call-up to Germany's senior national team on March 19, 2021, for the World Cup qualifiers. His call-up was a significant milestone, highlighting his rapid rise and recognition at the international level due to his impressive performances with Bayer Leverkusen.

Florian Wirtz played a vital role in Germany's under-21 team during the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. His performances were integral to the team's success, and he was instrumental in crucial matches, displaying leadership and technical skill beyond his years.

On May 2, 2021, Florian Wirtz played in the final of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship where Germany faced Portugal. He was a key player in the match, helping Germany secure a 1-0 victory and win the tournament, marking a major achievement in his young career.

Florian Wirtz suffered a major setback on March 13, 2022, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a match against 1. FC Köln. The injury was a significant blow, ruling him out for multiple months and requiring extensive rehabilitation, challenging his burgeoning career trajectory.

After a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury, Florian Wirtz made his return to professional football on November 3, 2022. His successful comeback was marked by a performance that illustrated both his resilience and talent, reigniting his promising career with Bayer Leverkusen.

In September 2023, Florian Wirtz signed a contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen. This extension underscored his importance to the club and their commitment to him as a pivotal player for their future ambitions, amid interest from top clubs across Europe for his signature.