Just a few hours after the Werkself friendly against Deportivo Toluca (0-1), Julian Baumgartlinger, Lennart Grill and Co. are already back on their feet. Part of the Bayer 04 tour group has registered for a hot-air balloon flight over the pyramids of Teotihuacán.
Having arrived at the destination, there was first a short coffee break while the hot-air balloons were prepared – two of them allocated to the visitors from Leverkusen in Black and Red.
At seven in the morning on the dot, the first group including sporting director Simon Rolfes and honorary captain Stefan Kießling gathered around the balloon and watched the final preparations before climbing into the basket.
For Rolfes it was his second flight in a hot-air balloon. The 40-year-old just before ascending into the air: “I did it back home in Münsterland when I was 13 or 14 years old. Of course, the pyramids here are completely different. I’m really looking forward to it!”
Once up in the air there was no end to the amazement for the travellers: The so-called pyramids of the sun, which the hot-air balloon was flying over, are the third biggest in the world with a diameter of 225 x 225 metres and a height of 63 metres; the neighbouring pyramids of the moon are the fourth biggest. They are sited in the centre of the ruined Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán, some 45 kilometres north-east of Mexico City.
In between the many photos and videos taken, Rolfes and Kießling discovered one of the local football pitches below them - a new perspective for the former long-serving Bundesliga players from a height of 300 metres.
To the amazement of everybody, the Bayer 04 balloon finally descended to a field surrounded by cactuses exactly next to a trailer – and they were brought back on it to base and then to the team bus. A successful hot-air balloon trip in the air and on the ground.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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