Florian Wirtz is one of the main reasons why Bayer Leverkusen are on a season-long unbeaten run and closing in on a German league and cup double, with a treble also possible via the Europa League.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was once again the centre of attention in Wednesday's 4-0 triumph over Fortuna Düsseldorf for a place in the German Cup final.
German international Wirtz set up the temporary second from Amine Adli before scoring his first career brace, including a first penalty, for the final score in his 141st Leverkusen match.
Team-mates and beaten opponents heaped praise on Wirtz who is also a regular starter in the national team and two weeks ago scored the fastest-ever Germany goal, after seven seconds against France.
"He is definitely right at the top," Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka said. "He delivers at the age of 20, every third day, is so consistent. He is dangerous with the ball, dangerous without the ball."
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes named Wirtz "a very special player" who shows this "not only in the games but also in every training session."
Düsseldorf goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier said Wirtz was the best player he has ever faced: "His stats, his one-on one duels, his oversight - I could continue for an hour."
Wirtz has amassed 13 goals and 18 assists in Leverkusen's 40 unbeaten matches all season across the league, cup and in Europe, of which they have won 35, with Xhaka saying "this team only knows 100%."
A first ever Bundesliga title is nearing given their 13-point lead with seven matches left, they are big favourites in the German Cup final against second division Kaiserslautern, and in the Europa League quarters they face West Ham United.
The 40 games without defeat across all competitions are a German record. Should Leverkusen not lose at Union Berlin on Saturday they will equal Bayern Munich's Bundesliga record of going unbeaten in the first 28 matches.
Wirtz' performances have caught the eye of European top clubs but his father and agent, Hans Wirtz, said recently he would be staying until "roughly" until the end of his contract in 2027.
That also applies to mastermind coach Xabi Alonso who last week committed to at least one more season amid reported interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
Hans Wirtz has said that his son is "very lucky with Xabi Alonso, who brings a lot of qualities with him. He's great with the whole team. He's the right coach at the right time."
Wednesday's victory saw Wirtz reach his first big final as a player and Alonso as a coach, with Leverkusen the first top flight club for both in their respective capacity.
“He showed a great performance. We see a very mature Flo in every game; he is there in the important moments and takes responsibility. He’s really a top, top player,” Alonso said of Wirtz.
But despite Wirtz' glory and the long unbeaten run caution is still prevailing at the 1988 UEFA Cup champions because they have not earned any silverware since winning a lone German Cup title in 1993.
Three lost German Cup finals and five Bundesliga runner-up finishes since then have earned them a dubious Neverkusen distinction, culminating in 2002 when they came second in the league, German Cup and Champions League within a span of 12 days.
"We will enjoy the moment and then focus on the next match. We have to stay calm because we have ambitions," captain Jonathan Tah said.
