
"Leverkusen are currently one of the best teams in the world," highlighted Mexico national team boss Lozano, around 10 years after his previous visit to the BayArena for a Werkself home match. "The way they play and go about it is very impressive. Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga have been highly regarded in Central and South America for many years and attract great interest. We Mexicans love watching the games of clubs like Bayer 04, Dortmund or Bayern."
Lozano used his visit to Leverkusen to learn a thing or two about the day-to-day work of the coaching team led by Xabi Alonso and the club's management. "Xabi, his staff and the entire club are doing a great job," said the 45-year-old: "That's also being heard in Mexico. The positive development of the club is being followed with great interest there."

After attending the Werkself's training session on Tuesday outside the BayArena, Lozano and his three fellow coaches also used the time under the Cross to hold talks with Bayer 04 bosses, including CEO Fernando Carro. "We are happy about every exchange and every new experience that we can take away from such trips," said Lozano, who also visits the Mexican internationals playing in Europe with his coaching team.
For the Mexican national team, the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Panama is on the horizon in around four weeks' time. Then in the summer there's an unusual highlight: Mexico, like the USA and Canada, will take part in the Copa America, the South American continental tournament. The three nations from the North and Central American Football Association will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
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From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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