EXCLUSIVE: Florian Wirtz backed for Lionel Messi-esque career

Tom Weber

• Updated: 27 Apr 2024 09:35 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Bayer Leverkusen great Jens Nowotny believes that Florian Wirtz can go right to the very top of the game.

The German international has been on absolute fire this season. With an absurd 17 goals and 19 assists in 43 games across all competitions, the 20-year-old has been one of the biggest reasons behind Bayer Leverkusen's stunning success this season.

The Werkself are yet to taste defeat in 2023/24 and Wirtz has been a creative monster for Xabi Alonso and company. He also starred on the international stage when he scored a stunning goal for Germany against France after just seven seconds in March.

STATS

Florian Wirtz

AM, F (C)

Bayer 04

Florian Wirtz

AM, F (C)

Bayer 04

All Tournaments

2023/24

• 43

  Games

• 17

  Goals

• 19

  Assists

View all stats

READ MORE: Exclusive - Xabi Alonso 'has everything' to be world's best manager

Wirtz's rise to prominence has been rapid and links to the crème de la crème of European football are becoming a weekly occurrence. The likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Man City and Bayern Munich are all said to be keeping a close eye on him, though his father and agent recently insisted that he will remain with his club for the foreseeable future.

Wirtz will have the platform to show off his talents to a larger audience when Bayer 04 line up in the Champions League next season. According to club legend and ex-Germany international Jens Nowotny, Wirtz can be readily compared to the biggest names in football right now.

Germany's Messi?

Speaking exclusively to FootballTransfers, Nowotny revealed that he sees shades of Lionel Messi in the young attacking midfielder and that he is in the best possible environment to make the correct decision on his future.

"He doesn't need to shy away from comparisons to players who are truly world-class," Nowotny said. "It's obvious that Lionel Messi, with all that he has achieved, is still on a different level, but in terms of quality, I think Florian has the level to have a similar career. He may have different strengths than Messi but he certainly shares that ability to dominate a game or a team."

READ MORE: It's official - Florian Wirtz deserves Ballon d'Or consideration

"I don't know where he will go, but due to his being in the German national team, he has the opportunity to talk to players who play in Spain, England and France or in Germany at Bayern München. He will take the next step and wherever he may end up, he will be successful."