From aspiring youth talent to Bundesliga first team regular: Florian Wirtz became a favourite for everybody who supports Bayer 04 last season at the age of just 18. The versatile forward provided eight goals and eight assists in 38 games. He also became a European Champion with the Germany U21s in the summer. These stats plus his inimitable dribbling and clever passes have secured Wirtz a place in the list of nominations for the Golden Boy Award.
The award by the Italian sports journal Tuttosport for the most promising U21 talent worldwide is very well respected. Also in the vote alongside Wirtz are eleven other Bundesliga players and the list contains 100 U21 talents. Tuttosport have presented the Golden Boy Award since 2003 and previous winners include Lionel Messi (2005), Mario Götze (2011), Kylian Mbappe (2017) and the most recently Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland could hardly have found a better phone a friend alternative. The former Leverkusen players took part in a YouTube based ‘DFB EURO taxi’ that included answering quiz questions. But the Germany players did not have a clue about the question of who was the host country for the 1972 European Championship.
They immediately made use of their phone a friend option – as they called up Rudi Völler. The Bayer 04 sporting managing director obviously leapt at the chance of supporting the former charges. Although the 61-year-old was sitting in his favourite restaurant and had a glass of wine, he naturally knew the right answer: "Belgium". It's good to have such experienced friends...
From the first team to the youth talents: The Bayer 04 U17s start the Leverkusen weekend of friendlies. The team under Jan Hoepner and Thomas Zdebel play the U19 team of Fortuna Köln on Saturday, 19 June. The kick-off at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre is at 11.00 CEST.
That is followed the next day by the U13 team playing Jugendsport Wenau at 11.00 CEST. The oldest year group at Bayer 04, the U19s, face TuS Koblenz on Tuesday night, 22 June (kick-off: 19.00 CEST). Both of those friendlies will also be played at Kurtekotten.
Finally, we have put together a few social media highlights for you. Enjoy the following formats, short videos and photos:
Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
Show more
The international break produced a full range of emotions for Bayer 04’s women. While four Leverkusen players were in play-off action to try and reach the World Cup, including two important goals, there were others in friendly action. Here’s a round-up of all the results…
Show more
The NB Vintage Collection is here and available now! Members enjoy an exclusive priority purchase period (online shop only). Non-members will then be able to purchase items from Saturday 17 October (10:00 CEST). Sales will also begin at the same time at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt.
Show more
On Matchday 1 of the UEFA Europa League league phase, Lech Poznań suffered a heavy defeat at Crystal Palace. Now the Polish champions will be looking for a more successful outcome in their first home game against the Werkself this Thursday, 15 October (kick-off 18:45 CEST) - and banking on a strong attack. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
