Back
15.05.2021Bayer 04

Farewell for trio – Lars Bender named honorary captain

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are looking to finally secure qualification for the Europa League with a win against Union Berlin in the last home game of the season. Saturday's match at the BayArena (15.30 CEST) will also provide the stage for a number of send-offs.
crop_20191123_B04SCF_AY7W8720.jpg

Immediately before kick-off, the managing directors Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler plus sporting director Simon Rolfes will honour the brothers Lars and Sven Bender for their services to the Werkself. The twins have decided to end their impressive careers next week at the end of the current Bundesliga season.

Elsinger leaves 13 years

Sven Elsinger also ends his time at Leverkusen. The head of the physiotherapy section leaves Bayer 04 after 13 years to concentrate on his practice back home in Hessen.

Elsinger_Staff_2020_21.jpg

Lars Bender named seventh honorary captain

Bayer 04 are saving a special accolade for Lars Bender for a later date. After twelve years in a Leverkusen shirt, including five as captain, the 32-year-old Bender has been named a Werkself honorary captain. "We will only make the official presentation when we can hopefully have spectators back at the BayArena next season and give Lars the celebratory and emotional stage he deserves," said Rudi Völler.

Lars Bender will then join Rüdiger Vollborn, Carsten Ramelow, Ulf Kirsten, Bernd Schneider, Simon Rolfes and Stefan Kießling as the seventh honorary captain at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. "It is difficult to imagine a professional footballer having greater identification with a club than Lars does with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. His loyalty and his attitude over the years were exceptional. We owe huge gratitude to Lars," declared Fernando Carro.

Ahead of the home game against Union Berlin, Lars Bender sends an emotional message to the Bayer 04 family in the BayArena Aktuell magazine. Click HERE for the free digital edition.

 

Related News

Charlotte Voll
Women - 14.11.2025

Shoulder separation: Charlotte Voll suffers fresh injury

Bayer 04 Women goalkeeper Charlotte Voll has been hit by injury again. The 26-year-old suffered an acromioclavicular joint separation in her left shoulder in the latter stages of the Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg on Monday and is set to be sidelined for a number of months. She underwent successful surgery in Düsseldorf on Friday.

Show more
Keanu Senkbeil
eSports - 14.11.2025

#B04eSports: Six points and a debut to start second showdown

Like they did in the first showdown of the VBL Club Championship by WOW, which the Leverkusen gamers won in spectacular style, Marc and Sean Landwehr also started the second showdown with six points by beating TSG Hoffenheim and VfL Bochum 1848, last-16 participants of the first showdown. The #B04eSports team suffered defeat to SV Darmstadt 98 and Hertha BSC. Meanwhile, Keanu Senkbeil made his VBL CC debut in the clash with the capital club.

Show more
Gegner-Check
eSports - 13.11.2025

#B04eSports: Our opponents for the second showdown

The next showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 is here. On their way to the offline round, to be held at the second showdown in Frankfurt am Main on 23 November, six opponents await in the online preliminary round. The #B04eSports team will face the first four this Thursday, 13 November, from 18:00 CET (live on the Bayer 04 app and on Twitch). The lowdown on our opponents.

Show more
Martin Terrier im Training
Bayer 04 - 12.11.2025

'Great feeling': Returnee Terrier looking forward with ambition

Optimistic, energetic and back in rhythm: Martin Terrier made his comeback from a ninth-month injury lay-off around three and a half weeks ago. The Frenchman spoke to the media after training on Tuesday about his return in front of the fans at the BayArena and his period on the sidelines. The 28-year-old forward also discussed coach Kasper Hjulmand and the weeks ahead until the end of the year, which he's looking forward to with much ambition and anticipation.

Show more
Despite taking the lead, Bayer 04 Women lose in Freiburg | 10th matchday
Werkself-TV - 10.11.2025

Women: TV highlights of 1-2 loss at SC Freiburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss at SC Freiburg on the 10th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more