
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.

Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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