Florian Wirtz (Germany / Bayer Leverkusen) — born 2003

Florian Wirtz powered Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2023–24—the first in league history—contributing 18 goals and 20 assists in 44 games across all competitions. He earned Bundesliga Player of the Season and German Footballer of the Year at age 20. At UEFA Euro 2024, he scored a crucial goal for Germany. With Xabi Alonso's 2025 departure to Real Madrid, Wirtz's expected €150 million move to Manchester City or Real Madrid would make him Europe's most valuable player under 23. His 85% pass completion rate in the final third is 12% higher than the average attacking midfielder in Europe's top five leagues, marking him as a superior creator to #8 Florian Wirtz's positional rivals.