June of last year. 10 months, 45 weeks or 317 days ago. Paulinho had just returned to Leverkusen after playing in an Olympic qualifier for the Brazil U23s. He felt he was “in good form” and “really integrated in the team” at that time. He was looking to play as many games as possible for Bayer 04 in 2020/21 and was working hard every day to achieve that target.
However, just before the DFB Cup final against Bayern Munich at the start of July, there was a massive setback in a training session in the shadow of the BayArena: a torn cruciate. A break of unpredictable length, rehab facilities instead of Bundesliga stadiums. Initially a big shock for the agile and technically-gifted football player from South America.
But giving up was not an option for Paulinho. At the Leverkusen ‘Werkstatt’, based in the BayArena, he started his individual programme – and with his comeback on the final matchday at Borussia Dortmund he made a positive finish to a season that will be one to forget for him.
In the thirteen-minute Bayer 04 TV documentary, the 20-year-old talks in detail about his time on the sidelines, the support of his family over those months. The Werkself team doctor Dr. Philipp Ehrenstein also shares his view, Carsten Rademacher (head of rehab therapy) and rehab coach Gregor Stumpf talk about getting the levels right in the sessions.
Exclusive insights into the rehab of our number 7 plus the home life with his Brazilian family in Germany – that and much more can be seen in ‘Never stop fighting’ on YouTube from Friday, 11 June at 16.00 CEST. HERE is the link.
Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
Show more
Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
Show more
Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
Show more
