“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)
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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