Fernando Carro: "It's great we will have another World Cup winner under the Bayer Cross next year. Exequiel Palacios was an important part of the team that obviously has their outstanding star in Lionel Messi. We are proud of Pala and everything he's achieved."
Simon Rolfes: "We are very happy for our Pala who will be back in Leverkusen next year as a World Cup winner. It's the biggest title you can win and Pala can be proud of that. He helped contribute in an Argentinian team that developed an incredible resilience in this tournament. And it wasn't just in the final that you could see how much this team and how much a whole country wanted to win the title. They gave their all and deservedly won the World Cup."
Rudi Völler: "Congratulations to our World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios. He was commanding and reliable in his games at the World Cup and he delivered everything Argentina expected of him. Messi provided the magic but a side needs team players like Pala to be successful."
In the first episode of the new interview series "A New Chapter", Werkself defender Jarell Quansah reflects on his first few months under the Cross and speaks about his journey from England to Leverkusen. Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, a new chapter began for Quansah in the summer at Bayer 04 — with new objectives, fresh challenges and much ambition. In the video, the centre-back speaks about his development as a player and person, about the courage to leave your own comfort zone, and about what it means for him to be part of an international team in a different country. Honest, reflective and full of motivation — just like the start of his Werkself career.
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Full focus on Hoffenheim: after the late postponement of the away match at Hamburger SV, the Werkself are looking forward. To get themselves in top shape for the key clash at top-six rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday 17 January (kick-off 15:30 CET), a number of players showed full commitment even on a day off - including two AFCON returnees...
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After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
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