Carro: The bond with Bayer 04 in Mexico is impressive

Mr Carro, the #Bayer04MexicoTour is over. What’s your summary of the trip?

Carro: It was an eventful time with a great friendly match and numerous activities around the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Bayer AG in Mexico. In the end, you can say it was an exhausting but also successful week.

Bayer 04 is the first Bundesliga club to undertake an overseas tour since the COVID-19 pandemic. What did you make of the conditions in Mexico?

Carro: We were very warmly welcomed everywhere and always felt that the people in Mexico love football. No matter where we were, we were always accompanied by a large crowd of fans. The bond with Bayer and our club is very strong in this country. That left a lasting impression on me.

What do you make of the events?

Carro: Probably the most emotional was Rudi Völler and Simon Rolfes’s visit to the orphanage in Queretaro. This was highly significant, especially for Rudi, given his connection to the institution for several decades. Then there were the sporting highlights, such as the friendly match in Toluca in front of an impressive crowd, the press conference in front of almost 100 media representatives or the training at Pumas’s complex.

Which event was the highlight of the trip for you personally?

Carro: Without doubt visiting the Estadio Azteca. Returning together with Rudi to the place where he experienced unforgettable matches, like the 1986 World Cup final or his farewell match 10 years later, was something very special. Rudi has had an outstanding career as a player and an official.

What did you make of the cooperation with Bayer Mexico over these days?

Carro: Particularly trusting and, above all, successful. We were on site with Bayer customers and employees, always close. They had the chance to experience and get to know their company’s football club at first hand. Our players also found they were welcomed very warmly here.

The #Bayer04MexicoTour also marked the end of the 2021/22 season. What was your last evening together like before the summer break?

Carro: That was also a complete success. The whole delegation had a great dinner at a restaurant in the city, then we went to a show. Whether it was the players, the coaches, the staff or employees from other departments, everyone had great fun.

What role do overseas trips by Bundesliga clubs play in the league’s foreign marketing?

Carro: They’re of great importance. We as a club have to do our bit to help the Bundesliga market itself better abroad and generate more revenue. For us to succeed, the big clubs have to position themselves internationally and regularly show themselves. Of course, I include us among them. I’m already looking forward to the media numbers of the trip. They’re very important for us and the league.

The close ties to Mexico don’t just end with the men’s first team’s tour. The Bayer 04 Women are also out here in July…

Carro: Our connection to this country will continue, not least through the visit of our women’s team. Our Bayer 04 Women will play against Club America at the huge, legendary Estadio Azteca and ideally want to set an attendance record. There will be other events here as well, of course, again mainly in cooperation with Bayer Mexico. There’s also the possibility of our U17s taking part in an international tournament in late summer. So, there are still exciting times ahead.