
The Italian sports journal Tuttosport has presented the Golden Boy prize for the best young player annually since 2003. This year the vote is for players born in 2003 or later. Werkself player Florian Wirtz is listed seventh in the nominations. Last year, Bayer 04 player Piero Hincapie was on the list.
You can vote now for Wirtz for the Golden Boy Web, open exclusively to fans. Click HERE to vote.
Nine other Bundesliga players are on the list alongside Wirtz: Jamal Musiala, Mathys Tel (both Bayern Munich), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Yossoufa Moukoko (both Borussia Dortmund), Tim Oermann (VfL Bochum 1848), Arne Engels (FC Augsburg), Luca Netz (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Kevin Paredes (VfL Wolfsburg).
The Golden Boy award:
The top 100 young players is determined via an algorithm of Football Benchmark and Golden Boy. From the long list of 100 nominees, the top 20 plus five wild card players are named in October. 50 international journalists then vote for the Golden Boy from the shortlist.

Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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