Florian Wirtz Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 18, 2025
As the football world enters 2025, one name stands at the forefront of European football’s next generation: Florian Wirtz.
At just 21 years old, the Bayer Leverkusen and Germany national team star has evolved from a teenage sensation into one of the most complete, creative, and influential midfielders on the planet.
With dazzling vision, lethal finishing, and a maturity beyond his years, Wirtz is not only fulfilling his early promise—he is redefining what it means to be a modern attacking midfielder.
Then: The Boy Wonder from Pulheim (2003–2020)
1. Early Life and Youth Development
Born on May 3, 2003, in Pulheim, near Cologne, Germany, Florian Wirtz displayed footballing intelligence from an early age. A natural playmaker with exceptional close control and spatial awareness, he joined Bayer Leverkusen’s youth academy at just seven years old—after a brief stint at local club Grün-Weiß Brauweiler.
Coaches quickly recognized his rare gift: a blend of technical brilliance, composure under pressure, and a killer instinct in the final third.
2. Record-Breaking Debut – The Birth of a Prodigy
In May 2020, at just 17 years and 15 days old, Wirtz made his Bundesliga debut for Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the youngest player in club history to appear in the league.
But it was his first goal, scored in June 2020 against Werder Bremen, that announced his arrival: a perfectly timed run, a cool finish—proof that this wasn’t just a talented kid, but a match-winner in the making.
By the 2020–21 season, he was a regular starter, scoring 8 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances—earning the Kicker Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award and comparisons to legends like Mesut Özil and Andreas Möller.
Related: Jamal Musiala Then and Now
The Rise: Breakout Star and Leverkusen’s New Leader (2021–2024)
1. Injury and Resilience – The 2022 Setback
Wirtz’s rapid ascent was interrupted in April 2022, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a match against Freiburg. The injury ruled him out for nearly a year—a devastating blow for a player on the cusp of stardom.
But Wirtz responded with remarkable discipline and mental strength. He returned in March 2023, stronger, smarter, and more determined than ever.
2. Xabi Alonso Effect – The Architect of a Revolution
Everything changed in 2023, when Xabi Alonso was appointed head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. Recognizing Wirtz’s genius, Alonso rebuilt the team around him, deploying him as a free-roaming number 10—a modern enganche with license to roam, create, and score.
The results were historic.
In the 2023–24 season, Wirtz played a central role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign:
- 15 goals and 15 assists in the league
- Instrumental in ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year title dominance
- Key contributor in the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Europa League runs
Leverkusen completed a domestic double (Bundesliga & DFB-Pokal) and reached the Europa League final, with Wirtz pulling the strings in midfield.
His performances earned him:
- Bundesliga Player of the Season (2023–24)
- Kicker Footballer of the Year (Germany)
- Included in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season
3. Ballon d’Or Recognition
By late 2024, Wirtz had cracked the Ballon d’Or top 10—the first Leverkusen player ever to do so—solidifying his status as one of the world’s elite.
Related: Pedri Then and Now
Now: Germany’s Crown Jewel (2025)
1. National Team Leadership
With 32 caps and 10 goals for Germany by early 2025, Wirtz has become the creative heartbeat of the national team under manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Following the retirement of veterans like Thomas Müller and Ilkay Gündogan, Wirtz has stepped into the number 10 role with authority. At UEFA Euro 2024, he was Germany’s most dangerous player:
- Scored 3 goals, including a stunning winner against Denmark in the Round of 16
- Provided 4 assists in the tournament
- Named in the Team of the Tournament
Though Germany fell in the semifinals, Wirtz’s performances marked him as the undisputed future of Der Mannschaft.
2. Evolution as a Complete Midfielder
No longer just a playmaker, Wirtz in 2025 is a complete offensive force:
- Improved defensive contribution and pressing under Alonso
- Greater positional intelligence, often dropping deep to initiate attacks
- Clinical finishing from inside and outside the box
- Leadership on the pitch, often directing teammates and calming the game
He now wears the captain’s armband for Leverkusen in the absence of veteran stalwarts, symbolizing his growth into a leader.
3. Global Recognition and Marketability
Florian Wirtz has become a global ambassador for German football:
- Signed major deals with Adidas, EA Sports, and Deutsche Telekom
- Featured on the cover of FIFA 25 in Germany
- One of the most-followed German athletes on social media (over 5 million across platforms)
Despite his fame, he remains humble, often crediting his family, coaches, and teammates for his success.
Related: Bukayo Saka Then and Now
Playing Style: The Modern Maestro
Florian Wirtz’s game is a blend of German efficiency and Latin flair:
- Passing: Capable of inch-perfect through balls, diagonal switches, and no-look assists
- Dribbling: Low center of gravity, quick feet, and fearless in tight spaces
- Vision: Sees passes seconds before they develop
- Shooting: Deadly from distance and in one-on-one situations
- Football IQ: Anticipates movement, controls tempo, and adapts to any tactical system
He thrives in Xabi Alonso’s possession-based, high-pressing system, acting as the pivot between defense and attack.
Related: Bruno Fernandes Then and Now
Personal Life and Character
Florian Wirtz is known for his grounded personality and strong family values. He lives in Leverkusen with his long-term partner, Lea, and is active in local youth football programs.
He’s also a mental health advocate, speaking openly about the pressure of early fame and the emotional toll of his ACL injury:
“Recovery isn’t just physical. It’s about believing in yourself when no one else does.”
His resilience has made him a role model for young athletes facing setbacks.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Florian Wirtz represents a new era of German football—one that blends technical brilliance with emotional intelligence. He’s part of a generation that includes Jamal Musiala, Youssoufa Moukoko, and Kai Havertz, but stands out for his consistency, creativity, and leadership.
He’s also a symbol of homegrown excellence—a player developed entirely in Germany, who chose to stay at Leverkusen despite interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.
In 2025, Leverkusen is no longer just a “nearly” club—thanks to Wirtz, it’s a European powerhouse.
Conclusion: Florian Wirtz – Then and Now (2025)
- Then: A 17-year-old prodigy from Pulheim, making history with a Bundesliga debut and a nation watching.
- Now: A Bundesliga champion, Ballon d’Or contender, Germany’s most important player, and the face of a new footballing era.
Florian Wirtz’s journey is one of talent, trauma, and triumph. He didn’t just survive a career-threatening injury—he returned stronger, smarter, and more influential than ever.
As he enters his prime in 2025, one thing is certain:
Florian Wirtz isn’t just the future of German football.
He’s already its present.
And if he continues on this path?
The world stage—and footballing immortality—awaits.
🌟 “I don’t play to be famous. I play to make history.” – Florian Wirtz
Related: Bernardo Silva Then and Now