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

20261018_FS1_6607.jpg
Bundesliga - 31.10.2026

Matchday news: Take cup momentum into Stuttgart home game

Fans at the BayArena got to enjoy a spectacle on Wednesday as the Werkself came from behind to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the DFB Pokal. Now with the sixth home game of the season, can Bayer 04 maintain their perfect record in Leverkusen as VfB Stuttgart come to town in the Bundesliga on Saturday (15:30 CET)? The visitors have had issues domestically this term, sitting in 15th place, although they have had much better results in the UEFA Champions League. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 8 encounter…

Show more
Die PK vor dem Heimspiel gegen den VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga, 8. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 30.10.2026

Martínez ahead of Stuttgart match: Press forward with renewed energy

Three days after the spectacular comeback in the DFB Pokal tie against FC Nürnberg (5–2), the Werkself face their next challenge in the Bundesliga. On Saturday, 31 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), Bayer 04 host VfB Stuttgart, currently 15th in the table, at the BayArena. Ahead of the match, Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about important factors in preparing for this next game given a tight fixture list.

Show more
VfB Stuttgart
Bundesliga - 30.10.2026

Our next opponents: The two sides of VfB Stuttgart

Despite VfB Stuttgart performing well in the Champions League, they are facing a difficult spell early on in the Bundesliga. Three days after their last-minute victory in the DFB Pokal at SC Paderborn 07, the Swabians can now take to the pitch at the BayArena with greater confidence on Saturday, 31 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Herbstcamp mit Loreen Bender und Selina Ostermeier
Football Academy - 29.10.2026

Bender and Ostermeier visit Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp

A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.

Show more