Henrichs is hoping to make his debut for Germany in the World Cup qualifier in San Marino or in the friendly in Italy.
The 19-year-old, who has been at Bayer 04 since childhood, has been a regular in the Werkself squad this season. Whether at right or left back "opponents find it difficult to get past Benny," said Schmidt who has played Henrichs for the full 90 minutes in 13 of the 15 competitive games this season. Henrichs made his debut for the Germany U21 team a month ago.
Five predecessors
From the Kurtekotten Academy to the German national team – five other players proceeding along that route. In 1988 Knut Reinhardt received his call-up to the national team, Gonzalo Castro followed in 2007, René Adler in 2008 and Stefan Reinartz in 2010. The last Bayer 04 player was Christoph Kramer before the 2014 World Cup and now this honour goes to Benjamin Henrichs.
It's a great day for me today. I'm really happy about the call-up, it's a special honour and a great challenge," said Henrichs before adding: "I'll give 100 per cent to play well for the national team."
And Rudi Völler was also happy to hear the news. "The call-up is a wonderful thumbs up for Benny and also for youth development at Bayer 04. Everybody at the club is happy for him – Benny has earned this chance through his performances over recent months,” said the sporting director.
Five Leverkusen players in the squad
Löw has called up four other Leverkusen players: Kevin Volland, Julian Brandt, Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah. Volland has eight full international caps, Brandt four. Tah and Leno have made two appearances for Germany.
The match in San Marino is on Friday 11 November at 20.45 CET and the friendly against Italy is on Tuesday 15 November at 20.45 CET in Milan.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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