19.07.2022Bayer 04

Wirtz on rehab: 'In exactly the right hands'

Conscientious, ambitious and focused: Florian Wirtz has received a lot of praise from the Bayer 04 physios for his work in rehab in recent weeks. The 19-year-old Germany international has been following a comprehensive individual programme for four months following a torn cruciate. The Werkself player is now working on his comeback in Zell am See-Kaprun. The days at the training camp, together with his teammates, are doing him good on his way back to fitness as he recently said at a press conference. We bring you his key statements.

Florian Wirtz on…

…the healing process: Me and my knee are doing very well. The rehab training is going as planned. Therefore I'm absolutely confident at this point and I will continue my programme.

…on support on the way to his comeback: I've had great support from the start from all sides from my family as well as the club and my friends. And the doctor who operated on me was very confident in his discussions with me. That feedback motivated me to start rehab a few days after the injury. It's gone great since then including in cooperation with the medical team at the club. I'm in exactly the right hands here.

…rehab work on the training camp: Of course, it's not always easy doing the same exercises in the same place for months on end. Therefore, I'm really enjoying the time here in Austria. I'm fully involved in the day-to-day activity and close to my teammates. I'm training right next to them so I can see what’s happening in training.

…his programme for the coming weeks and months: The first thing now is to gradually increase the intensity and workload on the pitch. We're taking it step-by-step.

…the reasons for extending his contract to 2027: I just feel really good here. I wanted to send a message to the club and the team. Patrik Schick has also extended to 2027, Adam Hlozek has signed a deal to 2027. We've got a good team and we want to build something here.

…communication with Germany coach Hansi Flick: We are in close contact and we have a very good relationship with each other. For example, he invited me to the international in Mönchengladbach (5-2 against Italy, ed.). I spoke to a lot of the other international players there and they gave me great support.

…the World Cup in Qatar: I'm very young and have lots of years ahead of me. You can't see into the future. And I don't want to do that. I just want to use every day and work hard to get back on the pitch fit and well.

Related News

Women - 01.05.2026

Bayer 04 Women on hunt for records in Essen

With three games to play before the end of the season, the Bayer 04 Women can break one record and equal another at SGS Essen. After three wins on the bounce, coach Roberto Pätzold's team are aiming to maintain the chance of third place in Sunday’s away game (14:00 CEST, Stadion an der Hafenstraße).

Fierté Burkinabè - Edmond Tapsoba: Playing for More

Bayer 04 - 29.04.2026

‘Fierté Burkinabè’ documentary – visiting Edmond Tapsoba at home in Burkina Faso

From Ouagadougou to Leverkusen – and back: in March, Bayer 04 travelled with Edmond Tapsoba for a special project in his homeland Burkina Faso. The country where his roots and heart lie. The country where he’s more than a world-class defender: a symbol of hope and a role model for an entire generation. The result is a 45-minute documentary about Tapsoba’s long journey from Africa via Portugal to Leverkusen, which offers extraordinary, one-off and emotional insights.

Edmond Tapsoba mit Fernando Carro und Simon Rolfes

Bayer 04 - 29.04.2026

Contract until 2031: Defensive ace Edmond Tapsoba commits long-term to Bayer 04

Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.

04 Fragen an Edmond Tapsoba | Vertragsverlängerung nach Doku-Premiere

Werkself-TV - 29.04.2026

Tapsoba on his contract extension until 2031: 'A very special day for me'

A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...

Bayer 04 - 28.04.2026

Emotional preview of ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ - Tapsoba's parents and close companions from Burkina Faso also at the BayArena

This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.