Learn from Mbappe's Transfer: Stay in the Bundesliga!
Lothar Matthaus advises Florian Wirtz to remain at Bayer Leverkusen, citing Kylian Mbappe's challenges at Real Madrid as a cautionary example.
Lothar Matthaus, the former Bayern Munich star, has welcomed the news of Florian Wirtz's reluctance to leave the Bundesliga. Matthaus analyzed this decision, referencing notable transfers from the recent summer window.
In his regular column with Sky, Matthaus praised Wirtz's choice to continue his development at Bayer Leverkusen: "If I were in Florian Wirtz's position, I would stay at Leverkusen until the 2026 World Cup. A major move always comes with significant pressures that undoubtedly affect you. At Bayer, Wirtz is in a familiar and protected environment, allowing him to prepare optimally for the World Cup."
Matthaus cautioned Wirtz about the risks of premature transfers to Europe's elite clubs: "At Real Madrid, Manchester City, and others, the media landscape is different, and the pressure intensifies. At Bayer, even when he doesn't play well, he is shielded."
To underscore his point, Matthaus cited a current example: "The best example is Kylian Mbappe, who has somewhat faded in Madrid over the past six months, whereas he was the king of Paris."