“Florian Wirtz is an exceptional lad who has all the potential required to make a significant contribution to German football in the coming years,” said Rudi Völler, the sporting managing director at Bayer 04. “We’ll do all we can at Leverkusen to encourage his great development in the future. I think he’s in the right place with us here as Bayer 04 gives young players the chance to get top-level match practice early on.”
Florian Wirtz, who made his debut for Leverkusen in January 2020, is following in big footsteps at Bayer 04. Benjamin Henrichs won the Fritz Walter gold medal in the U19 section in 2016 and Kai Havertz followed two years later. Simon Rolfes: “The Fritz Walter medal is absolutely deserved in every respect given the way Florian has performed in the Bundesliga and in Europe at his young age. Nevertheless, he’s still a young player and we want to continue to help in his development. If he carries on as he is with his attitude then Florian will definitely have a wonderful career.”
In the first half of last season, Florian Wirtz was playing for the FC Köln youth team. After his move to Leverkusen, he first appeared for the U19s in the U19 Bundesliga West before joining the first team squad after the break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic. Wirtz came off the bench to make his Bundesliga debut at Werder Bremen on 18 March – at the age of 17 years and 15 days, he was the third youngest debutante in the history of the Bundesliga. The youngster from Pulheim made history again 19 days later: His strike against Bayern Munich made him the youngest goalscorer in the top flight of German football.
Meikel Schönewitz, head coach of the Germany youth teams, said the following about Florian Wirtz: “He’s a creative playmaker who has very good basic techniques. He’s dealt very well with all the hype about him and ridden that wave in a positive sense – and that shows he has a rational personality and the right focus.” Wirtz has been in all of the Germany youth squads from the U15s and has made nine international appearances to date.
Leverkusen winners of the Fritz Walter medal:
2020: Florian Wirtz (U17/gold)
2018: Kai Havertz (U19/gold)
2016: Benjamin Henrichs (U19/gold); Kai Havertz (U17/silver)
2015: Jonathan Tah (U19/gold)
2014: Julian Brandt (U18/gold); Levin Öztunali (U18/silver)
2013: Dominik Kohr (U19/bronze)
2012: Dominik Kohr (U18/bronze)
2010: Kolja Pusch (U17/bronze)
2008: Marcel Risse (U19/bronze); Richard Sukuta-Pasu (U18/bronze)
2007: Stefan Reinartz (U18/bronze); Nils Teixeira (U17/bronze)
The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
Show more
Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').
Show more
