Florian Wirtz

Germany's post-2014 World Cup malaise — early exits, aging squads, tactical stagnation — needed a spark of genius to ignite a new era. Florian Wirtz provided a bonfire. The Bayern Munich midfielder is Germany's most exciting talent since Thomas Müller burst onto the scene in 2010, combining silky technique, intelligent movement, and a knack for scoring spectacular goals that make stadiums hold their breath. At 23, his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Bayern signaled his arrival at the absolute top of European football. In Group E alongside Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao, Germany will look to Wirtz — alongside Musiala — to provide the creative brilliance that has been missing from Die Mannschaft for a decade.