The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo" will officially open on Saturday, 5 July, and aims to develop the next generation of talent, while sharing football knowledge and training methods in the football-hotbed of Brazil.
The academy is led by 1994 World Cup winner Paulo Sérgio, who made over 150 appearances for Die Werkself (1993-97) and holds the record for goals by a Brazilian player at Bayer 04. With his experience in both European and Brazilian football, Sérgio will ensure that Bayer 04's playing philosophy is passed on to young players, combined with the creativity and technical flair of Brazil. All participating coaches in the football academy will complete an initial training program in Leverkusen and then receive regular training thereafter.
"Bayer 04 Leverkusen is the perfect club in Europe for young talents who dream of becoming top players. Integration and education are core values of the club," says Sérgio, Academy Director. "I came to Leverkusen as a young player, and what I experienced there made me a top player and a world champion."
"Opening our own football academy in Brazil is another milestone in our internationalization strategy," says Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04. "Bayer 04 and Brazil have long enjoyed a very special connection. With the Bayer 04 Football Academy in São Paulo, we intend to inspire and develop the next generation of footballers and Bayer 04 fans, while strengthening our connection to this football-mad country and working closely with our Bayer family in Brazil and Latin America."
The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo" offers first-class conditions on the Bayer campus. In addition to a modern multi-field facility, the facilities include an artificial turf pitch, a large clubhouse, modern locker rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fully-equipped gym.The academy will initially accommodate 100 participants aged 5 to 15 with the ability to expand to over 300 young players.
“Opening a football academy for young talents at the Bayer Club in Brazil is an incredible opportunity for us to work closely with a club that has stood out on the global stage in recent seasons and embodies much of what Bayer as a company represents: teamwork, focus, and adaptability,” said Cristina Hegg, President of Bayer Brazil’s Consumer Health business.
"Brazilian football has always been about skill, passion, and the joy of playing. With this Football Academy, we offer young players a structured environment to develop their talents while promoting their personal development and discipline in a modern facility," says Sérgio. “It is an honor for me to lead this initiative and bring the Bayer 04 football philosophy to my home country.”
The Bayer 04 Football Academy in São Paulo began its first training sessions with young players this spring with an official opening ceremony set on Saturday, 5 July, at the Bayer Brazil facility. Close collaboration between the academy and selected schools in the greater São Paulo area is also planned, as well as hosting additional events such as coaching seminars and watch parties for Leverkusen games.
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