André, first in the name of Bayer 04, belated greetings on your 30th birthday. How have you spent the day?
Ramalho: Thank you, I'm happy to hear that. In the morning I first did everything relating to my work and rehab. In the afternoon I was able enjoy my time with the family.
You signed for PSV Eindhoven last summer. What's your assessment of your six months in the Netherlands and how have you settled in there?
Ramalho: I really feel at home. All my teammates, the fans and management have been great to me. Of course, it also depends on how often you're on the pitch – that's also worked out really well (17 appearances on the first 18 matchdays, ed.). It was a perfect six months up to my injury in December.
You touched on your ankle injury. You went off injured in the last match before the winter break. What's the current situation and when can we expect to see you back on the pitch?
Ramalho: I'm out for around 12 weeks and I've already done half of them. Therefore, I hope to be able to train with the team at the start of April. I'm doing all I can to make my comeback and I’m working very hard on it every day.
What were the reasons for your move to Eindhoven?
Ramalho: PSV are a big club and known all over the world. I knew the club very well above all from the many Brazilian predecessors – be that the legendary keeper Heurelho Gomes, Romário, Alex and Ronaldo of course…
The coach Roger Schmidt also has a Black and Red past. He was also your coach at Salzburg. What role has he played for you?
Ramalho: He is one of the most important people in my career, without a doubt. I'm incredibly grateful for what he's done for me and my career. I've played for four clubs as a professional up to now – he was my coach at three of them. (He laughs) Roger always had confidence in me and made me better every day. In response, I always knew what he expected from me. It all fits together perfectly
What are your memories of your time at Bayer 04?
Ramalho: I started there as a relatively young player at 23 and I was able to learn a lot. I would have been happy to have had the experience then I do now. The first year was okay but I wanted more. More time on the pitch. Unfortunately, that wasn't always possible. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant and instructive time. I'm still in touch with some of them from back then, be that Wendell, who is now at Porto, Lucas Alario and the fitness coach Daniel Jouvin. I was on holiday with him last year.
On Friday, the Werkself play Mainz 05, your second German club. What makes Mainz stand out and what was your time like there?
Ramalho: That was also a great experience for me – even though it didn't start so well with my injury in the first friendly. I wanted to gain match practice at Mainz and that worked out for me in the end (20 appearances in 2016/17, ed.). The club and the city remain close to my heart.
Back to the Black and Reds: What's your assessment of the current form of the Werkself who are currently third in the Bundesliga?
Ramalho: At the moment, they are playing brilliantly with attacking and high quality football. It's been a great season for Bayer 04 up to now. I'm convinced they will end up qualifying for the Champions League.
Will you watch the game between Mainz and Leverkusen?
Ramalho: Of course, I follow all the games of both teams. On top of that, they’re playing under floodlights on Friday – those are always the most fantastic games. But I don't want to name a favourite because I have too many friends at both clubs. Let's agree on a draw. Then you can happily go on and win every other game. (He laughs)
On André Ramalho:
Born in February 1992 in Ibiúna, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, André Ramalho moved to Europe at the age of 18. The central defender went from the Brazilian Red Bull feeder club RB Brasil to Austria where he progressed through the RB youth set-up before establishing himself with the RB Salzburg first team in 2013. The move to Bayer 04 followed two years later - the next Brazilian in Black and Red. He played for the Werkself for two and a half years with one season on loan at Mainz 05. Ramalho returned to Salzburg after his time in Germany. He won six Austrian league titles and five domestic cups in Austria before joining top Dutch club PSV Eindhoven last summer.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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