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Florian Wirtz Reflects on Journey from Youth to Champion

1/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Florian Wirtz, a Bayer Leverkusen footballer, said in an interview with Kelly Somers he began at SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler and his first coach shaped his development.
He recalled facing a choice between Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne at age six or seven and joined Cologne despite his shyness.
After nine and a half years, he moved to Leverkusen, where he celebrated winning the championship as a milestone in his career.

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Story summary

Florian Wirtz, a Bayer Leverkusen footballer, said in an interview with Kelly Somers he began at SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiler and his first coach shaped his development.
He recalled facing a choice between Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne at age six or seven and joined Cologne despite his shyness.
After nine and a half years, he moved to Leverkusen, where he celebrated winning the championship as a milestone in his career.