Florian Richard Wirtz: The attacking dynamics over the years have evolved exponentially from traditional counter-attacking to pressing and everything else in between. At the heart of every successful team is a Number 10, with a knack for always crafting goals that deserve its own genre of art.
Whether you have an appetite for traditional Number 10s such as Mesut Ozil and Lionel Messi or unorthodox ones such as Kevin De Bruyne, you are bound to be at a loss for words (or should we say at a loss for Wirtz) when you watch Florian Wirtz mastering the traditional as well as the unorthodox roles on the pitch.
However, it happens to be the case that only a select few of us fans know him outside of football reels and transfer rumors. In this article, we are excited to share with you untold facts about Florian Wirtz, such as his religion, family, love life, lifestyle, and so on, along with must-read stories from his childhood. Stay with us to get acquainted with Germany’s next big thing.
Family
Florian is the second child born to Joachim and Karin Wirtz. He also has an older sister who goes by the name “Juliane.” Football is embedded in their genetic makeup, as his parents happen to be football agents, and his sister, Juliane, is a professional football player who also plays for Bayer Leverkusen. His dad is the chairman of SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, a local club in their hometown.
Marital Status
He is unmarried and currently single. There is no data available on his dating history. Despite his meteoric rise to stardom in football, he still prefers to keep elements of his personal life to himself.
Religion
While he hasn’t made any unambiguous declarations of his affiliation to a religion or school of thought, it is believed that he is a Christian.
Florian Richard Wirtz Childhood
On the third of May in 2003, Flori took his first breaths, marking the beginning of his worldly journey in Pulheim, Germany. Being the youngest in the household, he was always treated like a duckling, and for this reason, he shared a very close bond with Julian. Recalling their first days with a ball at their feet, he says: “We used to play together in a small area in the living room, and that gave us a certain grit.”
There’s no doubt that the German national team at the time was star-studded to the very brim. However, the two players that stood out for young Flori and whom he looked up to as idols were none other than Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger. He says: “These are two big faces of German football who represent a very successful phase. Leaders, idols. They were childhood heroes for many – including me.”
Readying Up for an Adventure
He began his journey with football under his father’s supervision as he and his sister were enrolled in SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiller’s youth academy, chaired by their own dad. However, it was clear to their father and the coaches that this young boy mustn’t remain stranded here for too long and should instead look for a more competent environment to make a name for himself. This is where a new chapter with FC Köln is inked.
After attempting a series of trials at 1 FC Köln, young Flori was given the green light to join their ranks at the age of seven in 2010. However, it took him a good four years to bag his first team trophy in 2014. The vibes were still positive, as those in the club believed that they truly had a crown jewel in their possession. An exciting prospect, he was described by the local Kölner Express newspaper as “the best midfielder to come through the club in 30 years.”
Standing Out from the Rest
He won the German Championship in 2019 with 1 FC Koln’s U17 side by playing a major role in the build-up to this triumph. His exceptional performances piqued interest from many big clubs in Germany; however, it was Bayer Leverkusen who managed to secure his signature in 2020. According to Goal, he had turned down an offer to join Bayer Leverkusen when he was still playing for SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, but it seems the two were a match meant to be.
He was immediately promoted to the senior team because he was just too adroit for the standards set for the reserves team. He broke the record previously held by Kai Havertz by becoming the club’s youngest debutant, a record that still stands. His spate of terrific performances earned him a call-up to the German National Team by Joachim Low. However, in the latter half of the 2021/22 season, he tore his ACL, which saw him out of action for at least ten months, during which he even missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, the young and ebullient Florian Wirtz still dreams of representing the Blaugranas one day, and whether or not their financial conditions allow them to make this dream a feasible reality is a question that remains. In an interview, he had the following to say: “As a little boy, I always wanted to play for Barcelona. Nothing has changed in this regard, but until then, I still have some time.”
Personality
Despite being an introvert, Flori’s incessant love for football is counted among one of his most cherished possessions. Life without football is a reality that is far too mundane for him, and he explains it in the video below. He also goes on to say that he dreams of winning the Ballon d’Or one day.
Contrary to prevalent norms, Flori is someone who enjoys learning and always has a thirst for knowledge. This could be one reason why he never treated his schooling like an appendix. For this reason, he follows a very strict routine.
In his endeavor to strike a balance between his notebooks and a ball, he says the following: “I have to admit that it is exhausting managing both at the same time. I know that I have to approach my studies and football with the same amount of energy, even though football comes a bit more naturally to me. But I realize that I don’t have much time left in my studies, and I cannot give up so close to the end.”
Lifestyle
His lifestyle is a good concoction of savoring the good moments and doing what makes him happy. First, he always treats himself to a good vacation and enjoys skiing in particular, which helps him unwind from the industrious demands of annual footballing galas that last nearly a year. Secondly, he has a very strong and unorthodox sense of fashion, giving off a captivating projection.
Some Fun Facts about Florian Wirtz
- He is the youngest player to reach the fifth league career goal before turning 18.
- He is the second youngest goalscorer in the history of the Bundesliga.
- He is the second youngest player to make an appearance in the Bundesliga.
- He finished high school at the age of 18 in 2021 while still playing with Bayer Leverkusen’s senior team.
