He may only be 18, but Florian Wirtz is ready to play a central role for Bayer Leverkusen in 2021/22 after helping Germany win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Hungary and Slovenia this summer.

Already the owner of 47 senior appearances with Die Werkself, Wirtz also boasts nine goals and eight assists, and plans to develop yet more next term. bundesliga.com sat down for an exclusive interview.

Florian Wirtz on…

…how his career has gone since breaking through in 2020

"Well, first of all, I had a somewhat unexpected debut in the Bundesliga. Of course, that was the biggest step I've taken. I was delighted the coach picked me. And then there was also the first goal and the call-up to the senior national team. Of course, there was school and the fact I completed my leaving exams. And now a good finish with being a European U21 champion.

…how emotional the last year has been

"Looking back, it's gone quite quickly. You didn't always realise things straightaway. Sometimes I'd sit down and have to think back over what I've actually done and achieved in recent months. Of course, you're sometimes proud. And when your parents are proud, you're even prouder about yourself. There weren't really any negative moments over the year."

…how proud he is of what he's achieved so far

"Of course, you're pleased about, for example, your first Bundesliga goal or being in the starting XI again or playing at all. But I think you just sort of have to accept that and set yourself higher aspirations, like I did. It's to always perform better and just keep developing and make a better player out of yourself."

Watch: Wirtz became the youngest Bundesliga goalscorer when he steered the ball past Manuel Neuer aged 17 years and 34 days.

…how he deals with people constantly praising him and how he remained grounded

"I have a lot of siblings and our parents always raised us to never even think about becoming arrogant or fly high. I think the people around me always watch out for that. I've always learnt from a young age that I should be friendly to everyone and accept them as they are, and that I shouldn't change for anyone regardless of how people try to change me, that I should remain the same and treat everyone the same. That's why there was no real adjustment as I maybe got a bit more famous or that I started acting differently to people. There was none of that."

…the spirit in Germany's squad as they won the U21 Euros this summer

"We had a training camp beforehand with the team, and you noticed straightaway that the atmosphere was really good. Every player got on with everyone. You just noticed with a lot of things that the team was together, and no one was detached. We took that to Hungary. We always had a lot of fun, and I think that was a big point as to why we were so together on the pitch."

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…his goals for the new season

"First of all, I want to improve my performances with Leverkusen - especially in the Bundesliga, playing really good games. And in the end, my ultimate goal is to finish in a Champions League place. What might then come with the national team or whatever, I'll take things as they come, but I'll give my best to make everything possible this season."

…his contract extension until 2026 and expectation on him

"First of all, I saw my development being best here in the next years, that I can develop best at Leverkusen and become a better player and person because I'll try to take on more responsibility in the next years, become a leading player. That's my goal."

…his role under new coach Gerardo Seoane

"The coach is expecting again this season that I'll be able to give the team a bit of security with my qualities and also kind of lead from the front. He's expecting that from me, and that I always give my best and try to make the other players look good in games. Just take the team with with me and win a lot of games."

Watch: Wirtz rewrote history when he became the youngest player to reach five Bundesliga goals

…how he first got into football

"My father was a coach at Grün-Weiß Brauweiler and always took me and my siblings with from an early age. It was very early with me - I think I was running around a football pitch at two or three. That was sort of the start."

…who shaped him most in his youth

"My parents always supported me a lot. My mother and father played a part in me taking this journey, especially helping me with decisions, like moving to Cologne at the time and then to Leverkusen two years ago. They always gave me good advice. Above all, they always supported me in games and at training sessions. My mother was almost always watching at training. They really supported me and made it possible for me to have the best possible path in front of me."

About the clubs

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