Bayer 04 provide long-term support for the Bola Pra Frente project in Rio de Janeiro – Jorginho named official club legend

Led by Fernando Carro and the first official club legend Paulo Sergio, the Bayer 04 delegation met on Monday with Jorginho and other representatives from Bola pra Frente, as well as lots of children and young people. At Parque Madureira, a mural over 30 metres long by the Brazilian artist Izzy was unveiled, featuring motifs linking Bayer 04, Jorginho and Bola pra Frente – a further sign of the close ties between the club and Brazil.

Bayer 04 support Bola pra Frente for another five years

During the event, Carro also assured the representatives of Bola pra Frente of Bayer 04’s continued, long-term support. The project is aimed at young people from the favelas in Rio de Janeiro and opens up new prospects for them through sport and educational programmes.

“This partnership goes far beyond football,” said Carro. “Bola pra Frente has made a lasting difference to the lives of a great many young people over the past 25 years. We are very proud to be working together to strengthen and build on the success story of this project. By extending our commitment, we aim to help ensure this exceptional work continues, whilst further strengthening the close ties between Brazil and Germany.”

Paulo Sergio, Bayer 04’s first official club legend, also attended the event and Jorginho’s official unveiling. In doing so, the club recognised both his sporting achievements during his playing career at Leverkusen (1989 to 1992) and his long-standing community commitment, as well as his valuable role as a global ambassador for the club, a role he has already taken on in recent years. Since the founding of Bola pra Frente in 2000, Jorginho and his team have already opened up new prospects for more than 16,000 children and young people through the institute’s programmes, providing support and creating important opportunities in the field of education.

Following the official part of the event, Carro and Jorginho spoke to the numerous Brazilian media representatives present, before bringing the ceremony to a close with sporting activities together with around 30 children and young people.

close and active connection between Bayer 04 and Brazil

The five-day visit to Brazil once again highlighted Bayer 04’s strong commitment to the South American country. This includes, amongst other things, the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo, the close ties with the many former Brazilian players, the club’s Portuguese-language media channels, and the Werkself’s historic trip to Rio de Janeiro last year – the first ever training camp by a Bundesliga club in Brazil.