Injured DFB hopefuls mourn World Cup: dream duo with Musiala blown up
Created: 11/25/2022, 3:25 p.m
By: Christoph Klaucke
Florian Wirtz would have been one of the German hopefuls at the World Cup.
But the DFB jewel was injured and mourns the missed World Cup participation.
St. Louis/Leverkusen – Florian Wirtz lost the race against time.
After his cruciate ligament injury, the Leverkusen player wanted to get fit again in time to take part in the 2022 World Cup.
But nothing came of it.
Wirtz would have been one of the hopefuls in the German national team at the World Cup.
The attacking midfielder could have formed a dream duo with Jamal Musiala.
The 19-year-old is now mourning the missed World Cup opportunity, but is still positive about the future.
Florian Wirtz |
Born: May 3, 2003 (age 19), Pulheim |
Club: Bayer 04 Leverkusen (19 goals and 22 assists in 78 games) |
Market value: 70 million euros |
Internationals: 4 (2 assists) |
DFB jewel Florian Wirtz misses the World Cup after a long injury
"It just came too early in the end," said Florian Wirtz in an interview with
Transfermarkt.
.de "I just wasn't ready for the coach to be able to rely on me 100 percent because I hadn't had a minute of the game yet, and I hadn't had any proper training with duels."
After his cruciate ligament rupture, Wirtz worked on his comeback in rehab.
Although he returned to training at Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the autumn, it was no longer enough for a Bundesliga appearance.
As a result, national coach Hansi Flick decided not to be nominated for the World Cup.
DFB jewel Florian Wirtz has to do without the World Cup with Germany due to injury.
© Tom Weller/dpa
World Cup 2022: Flick declares Wirtz not nominated
"Then he told me that, also in consultation with the doctors, I should continue to focus on getting fit and that he's looking forward to seeing me again when I'm at the top physical level," Wirtz explained the conversation with Flick the World Cup cancellation.
Until recently, Wirtz was on a trip to the USA with the Werkself in St. Louis, where he was trying to get back into shape after tearing his cruciate ligament in March with a view to continuing the season in the new year.
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The decision that the World Cup in Qatar would come too early due to the serious injury was "judged by the national team, the club, me and my family, but also, that it's best that I'm still a little bit I have time to bring myself to a good level so as not to take any risks," says Wirtz.
"But there will still be a few tournaments that I can make an effort to attend."
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World Cup 2022: Congenial Germany duo Wirtz / Musiala blown up
In the absence of Wirtz, who has played for Germany four times to date, another 19-year-old, Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich, has come to the fore with the DFB team.
Musiala started the World Cup opener against Japan and was one of the best players on the pitch.
"Jamal is a very good footballer, a very good one-on-one player, or one-on-five," Wirtz smiled in recognition of Musiala.
"He can definitely move a lot on the field with his dribbling."
The teenager can hardly wait to appear together with Musiala: "I'm looking forward to playing with him in the national team in the future.
Jamal has his qualities, I have mine.
That could be nice to watch, I'm looking forward to that too, but there are other good players in the national team."
Florian Wirtz: Germany is fighting for survival at the World Cup without a DFB jewel
With a market value of €70 million, Wirtz is among the top 5 teenagers worldwide, while Musiala tops the list with €100 million (together with Bellingham and Pedri).
Recently, the DFB awarded Wirtz the Fritz Walter medal in gold for the best U19 player in 2022 - Musiala didn't even finish third.
Wirtz and Musiala could have formed a feared duo at the World Cup with their dribbling skills in combination play.
Without Wirtz, the German team must now win against Spain in the second group game - so the DFB team is eliminated on Sunday.
(ck)