By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Havertz: My grandfather inspired my passion for football

Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Kai Havertz says his grandfather sparked his passion for football.
Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz.
At the age of just 19, Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz has already accomplished a lot.

The offensive midfielder is the youngest player to feature for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances. On top of that, he will receive this year's Fritz Walter Gold Medal - an award given to the country's finest talent by the German Football Association - in the under-19 category.

But where does his talent come from? According to Havertz, he owes a lot to his grandfather.

"My talent is pure coincidence. My father was not a gifted player. My grandfather, on the other hand, used to play in the area and always threw balls at me, which I was supposed to shoot into his arms, in the garden," he said in an interview with Spox and went on:

"Therefore, I think that I have to thank him for a not inconsiderable part of my passion for the game - although my entire family has always been crazy about football."

Havertz has made 64 appearances for Leverkusen with eight goals and 15 assists to his name.

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