German offensive midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, has surprised fans with a letter he wrote back in 2015, expressing his aspirations for a career that now includes playing for Liverpool and the national team under Julian Nagelsmann.
Although Wirtz has yet to score during the World Cup held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, he has contributed with two assists: one in the 7-1 victory over Curacao for Nmecha and another in the 1-2 match against Ecuador for Sane.
Wirtz’s Key Contributions in the World Cup
Wirtz is a crucial player for the German national team, which will face Paraguay in the first knockout round of the tournament in Foxborough on Monday. He also holds a starting position at Liverpool, which acquired him for €125 million from Bayer Leverkusen a year ago.
What many may not know is that Wirtz idolizes a Brazilian footballer, who also happens to be participating in the 2026 World Cup. This player is Neymar, who made his World Cup debut late in the group match against Scotland after being rested for earlier games against Morocco and Haiti due to injury concerns.
At the age of 12, Wirtz penned a letter in which he revealed his dream of playing at the same level as his idol, Neymar.
Wirtz’s Aspirations at Age 12
The heartfelt composition of the future star, then a middle school student, is now framed and displayed at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The letter, published by Brazilian newspaper O Globo, reads:
“Hello! Today is May 28, 2015. I am 12 years old and in the sixth grade (D) at Abtei School in Brauweiler. I have good friends at school and in football, and I spend a lot of time with them. My favorite subject is Physical Education. Among the main subjects, I enjoy English the most. As a hobby, I play football, as I already mentioned. I sometimes ride my bike or rollerblade. Right now, football is very fun for me, because next season I will play for a team in an age category above mine. What bothers me now is that my friends at school are not as nice as before, but I am sure that will change soon. I think in the future I will have a wonderful wife and two children. Regarding my school goals, I first want to finish high school. After that, I hope to become a footballer and play at the same level as my biggest idol: Neymar Jr.”
Wirtz has made 44 appearances and scored 11 goals for the German national team, debuting in the fall of 2021 under coach Hansi Flick. His last goal for the national team came 13 months ago in a friendly against Finland, where Germany won 4-0.
