Florian Wirtz's return sparks Bayer Leverkusen's ambitions

His remarkable performance last season, where he contributed to Bayer's Bundesliga triumph, Pokal victory, and Europa League runner-up finish, has attracted interest from European giants like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

After the Euro Cup, Wirtz ended his vacation early to address speculation about his future. "I don't have a timeline yet, so I'm not sure," he told Mundo Deportivo, keeping fans and clubs on edge.

Wirtz shared his excitement about being back on the pitch. "I'm very happy to be back playing football after the summer break and being here again," he said.

He stressed his commitment to Leverkusen's goals, stating, "I'm focused on achieving our team goals. Eventually, things will become clear. But I don't have a timeline."

Under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso, Wirtz is set to make his Champions League debut, aiming to build on Leverkusen's impressive continental performances. "I aspire to be a top footballer and that's why I want to challenge myself against others. If you want to be a great player, you have to compete in the Champions League," he acknowledged.

Leverkusen's valuation of their star player had reportedly reached €130 million. Wirtz's 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 games during the 2023-24 season highlighted his importance to the team.

Reflecting on areas for improvement, he said, "I can enhance all my skills. I can work on getting faster, better at heading the ball, and many other things," underlining the importance of continuous development and teamwork.

"Success for me is about the team doing well. I take responsibility for ensuring we reach our goals. And, of course, staying injury-free and continuing to grow physically," he added, alluding to a previous serious injury that had kept him sidelined for almost a year.

The sting of Germany's quarter-final exit from the European Championship, where they lost 1-2 to Spain, still resonates with Wirtz. "It was a tough loss and very disheartening. We were hoping to at least make it to penalties," he said. "In the end, Spain deserved to win the tournament.

"If we hadn't had a chance in the game, the disappointment would've been even greater. We can be proud of what we accomplished in the tournament. That's why I focus on the positives and don't dwell on the past."

Looking ahead to the new season, Wirtz highlighted the competitive nature of the Bundesliga. "Bayern has added some new players who will definitely make them stronger, but the gap between Bayern and other top teams is not as wide as before," he observed.

"We're not afraid of anyone. We aim to win every game. However, we won't be overconfident. We'll aim to beat Bayern, but they are still Bayern Munich, always a tough opponent. Leipzig and Stuttgart also had strong performances last season. At the top, the competition has become closer."

Wirtz's return and his ambition for Leverkusen underscores his pivotal role in the team's aspirations for the upcoming season. His dedication and optimism set a promising tone for Bayer's campaign, as they prepared to tackle both domestic and European challenges with renewed vigour.

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