Arjun Menon
Florian Wirtz’s journey from a small-town pitch to Anfield is a story of persistence, family, and quiet ambition. In an exclusive conversation the 22-year-old Germany international opened up about his slow start at Liverpool, the pressures of a £116m move, and the nine siblings who shaped his career including a sister who’s also a professional footballer.
The First Kick
Wirtz’s earliest memory of football is simple: playing with his sister in his hometown. His first club, SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, was run by his father a man who did everything from coaching to painting pitch lines on Sundays. “He was more hard on me,” Wirtz admits. “But I think that helped.”
Even as a child, his talent was undeniable. “At school or on the street, I was always in the team with fewer players. They’d say the other side needed more to play against me.” By six or seven, he was training with both Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne, though his shyness made the transition difficult. “I didn’t want to leave my friends,” he recalls. “But my parents convinced me better coaches, better teams.”
Making History at Leverkusen
Wirtz’s rise at Leverkusen was meteoric. In May 2020, he became the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 17 years and 19 days. “I was just thinking, ‘Maybe I can be a Bundesliga player,’” he says. “I couldn’t have dreamed of what came next.”
That included breaking records, playing under Xabi Alonso, and most memorably leading Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024, an unbeaten season. “The best achievement I’ve made so far,” he calls it. “Meeting great people, great players… it was incredible.”
The Liverpool Challenge
When Liverpool came calling last summer, Wirtz faced a choice. “I thought, ‘This is the right place to get better.’” Messages from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah reassured him. “They didn’t beg me to come, but they gave me a feeling about Liverpool. Virgil said he’d be happy if I joined.”
Yet the start wasn’t easy. After 190 days without a goal, Wirtz found himself under scrutiny. “I wanted to be an instant success,” he says. “It didn’t come like that. I had to stay strong in my mind.” His breakthrough arrived in February five goals and five assists in a month. “Now I’m feeling much better,” he grins. “It’s nice to play with players like Hugo Ekitike.”
“He’s a great guy a big personality. We played against each other in the Bundesliga. He surprised me here; I didn’t know he was that good.”
Life Beyond Football
Wirtz’s ideal day off? Padel tennis with teammates like Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez. “I’m not that good,” he laughs. “But I’m better than Jeremie Frimpong he knows it!”
Breakfast is another passion: scrambled eggs, pancakes, and “a lot of fuel for the games.” His dog, Zoomer, is a constant companion though the name isn’t a Paw Patrol reference. “Just random,” he shrugs.
Family Ties
Wirtz is the youngest of 10 siblings, a dynamic he credits for his resilience. “Everyone cares about you. On birthdays or Christmas, it’s nice to have so many loved ones.” His sister Juliane, a midfielder for Werder Bremen, is his footballing confidante. “We played at the same clubs for years Brauweiler, Cologne, Leverkusen. Now we watch each other’s games and text good luck.”
Their bond extends beyond the pitch. “She’s having a great season. I’m proud of her.”
The Next Goal
Asked what he wants to achieve next, Wirtz doesn’t hesitate: “World champion.” The 2026 World Cup looms, and he’s under no illusions. “It will be difficult, but we all go there to win.”
For now, he’s focused on Liverpool’s push for the Premier League. After a rocky start, Wirtz is finally finding his rhythm and Anfield is taking notice.
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