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At 22 years old, the Bayer Leverkusen player is already established among the world's very best.

Last season, he was the fulcrum in the final third for a side that shocked Europe by ending Bayern's 11-year reign as Leverkusen went unbeaten in the Bundesliga campaign to claim the first title in the club's history.

A natural right-footer, he finished that with his left and it is striking just how comfortable Wirtz is moving at pace with both feet in tight situations.

While it was that 2023/24 Bundesliga season that belonged to him, winning the competition's player of the year award, this has been a coming-of-age campaign for Wirtz in the Champions League, scoring six goals in just nine European appearances this time around.

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Wirtz's shooting stats for Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Wirtz's passing stats for Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

And I think a really top, top player has this ability."

Those proved to be prescient words because, under Xabi Alonso's guidance, Wirtz was the one able to open things up for a Leverkusen team that swept all before them domestically in 2023/24 - going unbeaten in both league and cup competition.

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Out of possession, he is a pressing machine, with more high turnovers than anyone else in the Bundesliga and fifth in the Champions League rankings despite others playing many more matches.

"He is an excellent player but also an excellent team player," said Rolfes