It’s a special relationship developed over decades: Bayer 04 is an attractive choice for players born on the other side of the Atlantic – who have helped to shape the club and make it successful. In particular, the "Bayer Brazilians" have become an identifiable group with 23 players having come to Leverkusen from the biggest country in South America – and many of them developed here into world stars and World Cup winners. It's a unique number in the Bundesliga with FC Bayern, for example, 'only' having had 13 Brazilian players to date.
Wendell and Paulinho are the two Brazilians in the current squad. In addition, there is the Chilean captain Charles Aránguiz, the two Argentinians Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios, the unfortunately long-term absentee from Colombia Santiago Arias plus the Jamaican Leon Bailey who make up the American contingent at the Werkself. They are all Americans, even if that concept in Germany and Europe is mostly erroneously used solely for inhabitants of the USA – which is often met with a clearly visible rolling of the eyes in South and Central America. "We all live on the American continent and are all Americans," is often heard then.
There is great solidarity amongst theses players – as has already been seen this season. When Arias was playing for Colombia and suffered a broken leg and torn ligaments in his left ankle, there was a huge wave of sympathy. Alario, scorer of the winner in the 1-0 victory at Mainz, spoke on behalf of the whole team after the win against FSV: "We've won this game for Santi. It was a heavy blow for him but also for the whole team. Hopefully that helps him on the long way back. We're all crossing our fingers."
Arias, who is expected to be sidelined for around six months, was moved by the emotional message from his teammates who had only played alongside wants in the Bundesliga before that. "What's coming will be tough. Bayer 04 have given me lots of support, shown me that I'm important and that gives me strength. I promise I'll work hard to come back soon and stronger to wear the colours of Colombia and my club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Thank you." The right-back, on loan from Atletico Madrid, underwent an operation in the Spanish capital with eleven screws being put into his leg. A serious operation.
In Charles Aránguiz, Arias has a perfect contact at Bayer 04 – and not just because of speaking the same language. The Chilean also had a tough time after signing for Bayer 04, having to battle with an Achilles injury before rediscovering his old form and this season he became captain of the Werkself.
It's one of the many success stories written by Americans in Leverkusen – and the fans can look forward to many more.
This article comes from the Werks11 Magazine #28. The latest edition was posted out to Bayer 04 Club members last week and it will appear on Bayer04.de in the coming days.
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
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The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
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After a strong first half, the Werkself conceded twice against Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League but fought back and " deservedly earned the draw at the end", as captain Robert Andrich aptly put it. Despite opportunities for further Bayer 04 goals, the positive feeling about the irrepressible commitment the final minutes predominated. The Werkself review.
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Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
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The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
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