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E-mail Xinhua, March 4, 2025
The future of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has become an obsession in German football, while the 21-year-old is keeping his plans under wraps.
When reigning Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen faces current leader Bayern Munich on March 5 and 11 in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, speculation about Wirtz's future will intensify due to Bayern's recent attempts to woo the forward. Wirtz is under contract with Leverkusen until 2027.
Florian Wirtz (R) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a shot to score a goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Augsburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Augsburg, Germany, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Bayern board members Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness have praised the forward, increasing tensions between the two clubs. Rummenigge called Wirtz "the country's best," while Hoeness said it is his wish to sign him whenever "the door opens even a single millimeter."
Former Leverkusen and current PSV Eindhoven coach Peter Bosz has said Wirtz is on his way to becoming "the world's best." The forward has drawn interest from top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Many pundits, including former Bayern captain Stefan Effenberg, expect Wirtz to stay at least another year, potentially through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Others speculate about a move to Bayern or Real Madrid.
While Wirtz and his father, who manages him, remain silent on the matter, the upcoming matches against Bayern have been framed as a battle for supremacy in German football, as well as a showdown between Wirtz and Bayern's Jamal Musiala.
"Currently, I am only playing football. There is nothing more," Wirtz said.
Two-time Champions League-winning coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who led Borussia Dortmund to the title in 1997 and Bayern in 2001, called the matchup a nail-biter. "Bayern has much more to lose because the 2025 final is in Munich," said the 76-year-old.
Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has embraced having both young talents in his side, while sports magazines have filled their pages with comparisons.
Although subjective opinions may influence conclusions, Wirtz appears to have an edge in tackling success rate (51.7%) and assists (13), alongside 15 goals this season, as he orchestrates Leverkusen's attack. Musiala, meanwhile, has recorded 16 goals, seven assists and a 50.7% tackle success rate.
