Florian Wirtz: The Bayer Leverkusen and Germany schemer at home among Ballon d'Or contenders
Florian Wirtz is living a life beyond his wildest dreams after a brilliant season with Bayer Leverkusen was rewarded with a richly deserved 2024 Ballon d'Or nomination.
"On my 18th birthday, my mother showed me a note from my time at primary school. We had to write down what we wanted to be. The only thing I'd written was: football player," Wirtz said three years ago. A little further down the line, he is a Bundesliga and DFB Cup champion, a central star for a young and dynamic Germany team, and among the 30 2024 Ballon d'Or candidates.
"I really did always want [to play football] and started early on to kick everything I came across: balloons, balls and anything else lying around the house. There was a lot flying about at our place." His obsession with the game from a tender age - Wirtz says he started to play when he was three - has led to the now 21-year-old overcoming serious obstacles and making those who watch him rejoice in his spectacular contributions to Bayer 04 and Germany's fast-paced, attacking styles.
Watch: The best of Florian Wirtz in 2024/25 so far
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