Why has Florian Wirtz become the object of competition among European giants?

The entire European football world is talking about one name: Florian Wirtz. This 21-year-old German player has become the “hot commodity” in the eyes of big clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Liverpool.

To put it simply, which giant hasn’t been keeping an eye on him lately?Who wouldn’t want to have him on their team? Even just thinking about it, you can tell this young man has a bright future ahead of him.

Leverkusen fans may be tired of hearing this, but there’s no way around it: Wirtz is currently the hottest name in the transfer market, and the hype is off the charts.

So the question is, why is a young man who hasn’t even turned 22 receiving so much attention? Talent alone is definitely not enough.It’s his performance that truly impresses people.

Last season (2023/24), Wirtz‘s performance in the Bundesliga was nothing short of spectacular. His team, Leverkusen, broke Bayern Munich’s long-standing league dominance and secured the championship after a long absence. Wirtz’s role in midfield was decisive. Many people call him the “core” of the team, and that’s no exaggeration.

Without him, Leverkusen would have struggled to achieve such success, let alone break the club’s records.

However, Wirtz’s journey to success has not been smooth sailing. In March 2022, just as he was starting to make a name for himself at Leverkusen, he suffered a knee injury that forced him to take a break. It was an ACL tear, a type of injury that is extremely devastating for athletes and takes a long time to recover from.

That period was particularly difficult for him personally and had a significant impact on the team. He missed the World Cup, and the team had a poor start to the season, with even then-head coach Xavi being sacked.

Fans were worried at the time, fearing the team might decline. Later, new coach Xavi Alonso arrived, but when he took charge, Wirtz was still recovering from his injury and couldn’t immediately contribute.

However, Alonso had high hopes for him and said during the winter break: “He will be the one to change the game.”

As it turned out, he was right. By the second half of the 2022/23 season, Wirtz returned in top form, and Leverkusen’s tactics began to revolve around him. The entire team seemed rejuvenated, and their performance soared. From that point on, they gradually regained their competitiveness.

So you see, Wirtz’s success today is not due to luck, but to his hard work and talent.

When he was just over 18 years old, he had already made 50 appearances in the Bundesliga, becoming the fifth youngest player to achieve this feat. At that time, the German football world began to take notice of him.

Over the years, there have been constant rumors about his transfer. Top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Liverpool have all expressed interest in him.
However, Wirtz has always chosen to stay at Leverkusen and has not left easily.

Some say this is because coach Alonso has given him enough trust. Indeed, Alonso has always supported him during his tenure, giving him more room to play.

But now the situation is a little different. Alonso has just announced that he will return to Real Madrid as coach, so will Wirtz follow him? This question has become a hot topic on social media.

In fact, Wirtz’s value goes far beyond what statistics can show. His composure on the pitch is truly unlike that of a 21-year-old.

No matter how tense the game is, he always makes the right decisions. He passes when he needs to pass and breaks through when he needs to break through. When his teammates panic, he remains particularly calm. Many people say he “plays like a veteran,” but when you look at his face, he’s still just a kid.

Former German national team coach Flick once described him as “a precious asset to German football.” While this may sound a bit official, it is certainly true. His speed, creativity, hard work, and humble personality are all reasons why he has been able to establish himself in the Bundesliga.

Another former coach, Sevane, also noted that Wirtz can make high-quality plays in tight spaces, something many young players struggle with.

Alonso prefers to praise his daring and adventurous spirit. Even when facing the strongest opponents, he dares to try some fancy moves. This kind of confidence and courage is rare in today’s football world.

In recent years, Germany has not been short of talented players, but young players like Wirtz who are both talented and consistent are few and far between. Moreover, he was able to bounce back quickly after his injury, which is particularly commendable.

Beyond football, his personal life is also quite interesting. Even with his current fame, he remains close to the friends he grew up with. When he returns to his hometown in the Rhineland, he often plays casual football with his friends, showing no signs of the typical “star attitude.”

His parents are also quite unique. They act as his agents. His father, Hans, used to be the president of a local club, while his mother, Karin, handles the financial matters. The family negotiates contracts directly with the club, working together seamlessly.

From a young age, they instilled one principle in Wirtz: “Playing football is more important than making money.”

This wasn’t just empty words. When Wirtz first started out, his parents only gave him 150 euros a month for living expenses. How little was that? It was barely enough to cover daily expenses, let alone splurge on anything.

It was this upbringing that made Wirtz understand the importance of focusing on soccer from a young age. To this day, he has almost no commercial endorsements and rarely appears in ads or on social media to boost his presence.

This kind of focus and self-discipline is truly rare in today’s football world.

Fans often comment, “If he goes to a big club, he’ll definitely be a starter for the next ten years.” In the eyes of Leverkusen fans, Wirtz is already the “soul” of the team.

When you watch the game live, you often see children holding signs with his name on them. You can feel that it’s really not easy for a young man in his early twenties to have such an influence.

His loyalty and modesty are in stark contrast to the trend of seeking exposure and chasing money in this era. Even though he has been targeted by many big clubs, he has not lost his way and has always remained clear-headed.

When it comes to commercial value, this is actually something that big clubs value. Although he doesn’t do many advertisements, his versatility on the pitch makes any team willing to invest heavily in him.

He can control the ball, attack, and defend without holding back. This type of player is the “jack of all trades” that coaches want most. No matter which club he goes to, he can quickly adapt and become an important part of the team.

Of course, Leverkusen fans hope he will stay forever. But the reality is that Alonso is leaving, and no one can guarantee how long Wirtz will stay.

Looking back at his journey—from recovering from a severe injury to becoming a key player in the Bundesliga championship; from receiving full family support to staying true to his roots despite financial temptations—it’s clear that Wirtz deserves the attention he’s receiving.

In summary: Whether it’s Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Manchester City, whoever signs him will have the midfield core for the next decade. Perhaps the next big news to shake the football world will be the moment he officially announces his transfer.