Most valuable Champions League debutants – Florian Wirtz overtakes Bukayo Saka to set new record

​

A brace within 45 minutes 

It took Florian Wirtz just 35 minutes to make his mark in the UEFA Champions League. On Thursday evening, the Bayer Leverkusen star not only made his debut in the competition but also scored within four minutes to give his club the lead and then scored a second in the 35th minute. Back in 2022/23, when Leverkusen were last playing in the Champions League, Wirtz was still recovering from an ACL injury. Last year, Leverkusen were in the Europa League, where they lost the final to Atalanta. As a result, Wirtz replaced Arsenal star Bukayo Saka as the most valuable player to give his debut in the Champions League. 

Saka had a market value of €120m when he scored and assisted in his Champions League debut against PSV Eindhoven. Wirtz, with a market value of €130m, has now surpassed the English star. Saka’s teammates Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli are also among the five most valuable players to be given their Champions League debut. Flanked by the two is current Galatasaray star Mauro Icardi, who made his debut in the Champions League in 2018 with a market value of €95m. 

On the first matchday of the 2024/25 Champions League season, Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool; €75m), Douglas Luiz (Juve; €70m), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting; €65m), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa; €65m) and Endrick (Real Madrid; €60), made their debuts as well. All five stars are among the competition’s top 20 most valuable debutants. Like Wirtz, Gyökeres, and Endrick also scored in their first games.

Leverkusen star Wirtz – “Belongs in the Champions League”

Bayer Leverkusen director of sport Simon Rolfes has been excited about Wirtz’s start in Europe’s top competition. “Wirtz belongs in the Champions League,” Rolfes said. “He has earned it. Florian will play many games in the Champions League. He will improve and learn on this level.” Wirtz’s debut has been widely anticipated, and within 45 minutes, the German international has announced his potential to the world. And there is surely more to come after his brace within 45 minutes in Rotterdam.