Back
17.01.2023Bayer 04

Rudi Völler receives DFL honorary award

Award for Rudi Völler: The longstanding Bayer 04 director, now a member of the shareholders committee, received an honorary award from the German Football League (DFL) today, Tuesday 17 January.
crop_220117_NJE_2023_Watzke-Voeller_Querformat.jpg

At the traditional DFL New Year’s reception, Hans-Joachim Watzke presented the 1990 World Cup winner with the award in front of over 400 guests in Offenbach – the city where Rudi Völler took his first steps in professional football in the middle of the 1970s.

crop_220117_NJE_2023_Hellmann_Carro_Witters.jpg

“Of course, I’m very happy about the award, I grew up ten minutes away from here,” said Völler at the DFL New Year’s reception in Offenbach, where the Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes were also in attendance.

Illustrious group: 15 DFL honorary award winners

The award for the 62-year-old Völler was announced at the DFL general meeting in August of last year. The former Leverkusen director was unable to take part in the event back then for personnel reasons and now he has received the honour in person.

Through their honorary award the DFL (German Football League) recognises the great achievements of personalities in German professional football based on the decisions of their management committee. A total of 15 people are DFL honorary award winners to date.

Photos: DFL/Witters

Related News

TV highlights of 2-1 derby win in Cologne | 9th matchday
Werkself-TV - 08.11.2026

TV highlights of 2-1 derby win in Cologne

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-1 derby win at 1. FC Köln Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Werkself beim Torjubel
Bundesliga - 08.11.2026

Werkself win 2-1 in Cologne to claim sixth straight derby win

There were celebrations among those in black and red at the RheinEnergieSTADION. On Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, the Werkself beat 1. FC Köln 2-0 and registered their sixth successive win in the derby. Aleix Garcia put Bayer 04 in front after just seven minutes with a direct free kick. Leverkusen played with discipline and energy after that and didn't allow some fierce challenges to unsettle them. Patrik Schick made it 2-0 in the 86th minute, and Said El Mala's goal in stoppage time for Köln proved nothing more than consolation. Jonas Hofmann crowned the derby win with his 100th appearance for the club.

Show more
crop_20260425_FS_KOEB04_250046.jpg
Bundesliga - 08.11.2026

Matchday News: Werkself out to continue derby run

Bayer 04 have won each of their last five competitive encounters with 1. FC Köln, and it's around seven years since their last defeat in the cathedral city. That said, the hosts are in strong form at home and will make it anything but easy for the Werkself at the RheinEnergieSTADION on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Matchday News.

Show more
Women: TV-highlights of 2-0 win against Hamburger SV
Werkself-TV - 07.11.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-0 win against Hamburger SV

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-0 win against Hamburger SV on Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.

Show more
Jubel der Werkself
Women - 07.11.2026

Kramer nets fifth goal of the season as Bayer 04 Women beat HSV

Bayer 04 Women closed the gap on the teams above them in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 win at home to Hamburger SV on Saturday afternoon. Roberto Pätzold's side bided their time at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion before second-half goals from Cornelia Kramer (58') and Lobke Loonen (90'+5) earned them a victory that moves them to within a point of third place, the final Champions League qualification spot.

Show more