
The former Werkself player Jorginho, at Bayer 04 from 1989 to 1992, joined his teammate Bebeto in in 2000 in setting up the project Bola Pra Frente. Together with his two former clubs, Bayer 04 and FC Bayern, the organisation Stars4Kids now collects donations for this facility in Brazil's capital Rio de Janeiro.
Fans now have the chance, up to 2 July, to buy one of the shirts worn in the top match at auction via the platform United Charity and raise funds for a good cause.
The shirts to be auctioned:
HERE for the shirt worn by Lukas Hradecky
HERE for the shirt worn by Edmond Tapsoba
HERE for the shirt worn by Aleksandar Dragovic
HERE for the shirt worn by Sven Bender
HERE for the shirt worn by Wendell
HERE for the shirt worn by Julian Baumgartlinger
HERE for the shirt worn by Charles Aránguiz
HERE for the shirt worn by Kerem Demirbay
HERE for the shirt worn by Nadiem Amiri
HERE for the shirt worn by Paulinho
HERE for the shirt worn by Florian Wirtz
HERE for the shirt worn by Karim Bellarabi
HERE for the shirt worn by Moussa Diaby
HERE for the shirt worn by Leon Bailey
HERE for the shirt worn by Lucas Alario
Information on the project Bola Pra Frente:
‘Bola Pra Frente’, sport and education centre in the Rio de Janeiro district of Guadalupe helps young people to determine their own future and also find a more positive way of living away from drugs and criminality. It is one of the biggest social and sporting projects in the capital. The Brazil World Cup winner Jorginho, former Bayer 04 player, open the institute in 2000 alongside his teammate Bebeto.
Young people aged from 6 to 17 receive professional educational support from professional athletes, coaches, psychologists as well as social workers. The children and teenagers take part in the course is free of charge and have the opportunity to take up sporting activities and work on career-related projects. The centre offers language, mathematics, health, art, theatre, music, dance and computer courses.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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There’s plenty for Bayer 04 fans to enjoy both on and off the pitch at the official 2026 season launch. In addition to the women’s team taking on Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 13:15 CEST and the men’s team facing Sevilla at the BayArena at 15:30 CEST, fans of all ages can enjoy a range of activities – and get to meet Bayer 04 players and former players in the process. The Fanwelt is also offering a special promotion: buy a new shirt and get free printing! Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the season launch, including the live streams.
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A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day six (Friday 7 August) is as follows: This morning, the squad completed their final training session – this time behind closed doors – here in Blankenhain, before heading back to Leverkusen after lunch. The big season launch is scheduled for tomorrow.
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