
The 20-year-old is in the 'Up-and-coming group' behind Christian Pulisic (Dortmund), Thomas Müller (Bayern), Vincenzo Grifo (Freiburg) and Serge Gnabry (Bremen). The two Bayern wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery plus Dortmund's Ousmane Dembelé are the only players named in the 'International class'.
The Kicker assessment of Julian Brandt reads: "Brandt, with his seven assists at the the Rio Olympics, played a key role in securing the silver medal for Germany. The quick technician has now found his feet in the league. Ever stronger since matchday ten with his goals and assists." Karim Bellarabi, who took third spot in the 'International' class in the summer of 2016, has not been considered this time round as he missed the whole of the first half of the season due to injury.
In the 'Strikers' category Chicharito was named amongst 'The prospects'. Kevin Volland is missing from the rankings due to a broken hand and muscle injury that has severely limited his number of appearances.


The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.
Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show more
From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
Show more
Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').
Show more