A reception at the German – Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade in the city centre of São Paulo was the first event of the day. Different members of the German – Brazilian business community attended to hear one or two anecdotes from the historic double winning season of 2023/24 first hand from Simon Rolfes, sporting managing director at Bayer 04, and Kim Falkenberg, head of recruitment at Bayer 04. The event was hosted by Katharina Gerlitz, coordinator for market entry and business development at the foreign trade chamber.
That was followed by a very special visit: Bayer 04, in partnership with the Plastiks company, opened a new green mining recycling station in São Paulo. Bayer 04 legend Paulo Sergio made the one-hour journey to Embu das Artes, a municipality to the south of São Paulo, to experience first-hand how the waste collection point works. On site he spoke in depth to young people about the subject of sustainability.
The visit to the recycling plant was the official launch of a joint project. Plastiks is a sustainable organisation that is committed worldwide to the reuse of waste and against waste pollution. As part of this cooperation, Bayer 04 is working with the green mining organisation in São Paulo, the most populous city in South America and hometown to club legend Sergio, where the waste recycling rate is currently only around 3%. You can find out more HERE.
Rolfes and Falkenberg had a little time for a sightseeing tour through the city – with the walk including São Paulo's famous area of Beco de Batman (Batman Alley), which is primarily known for its artistic wall paintings. A must during the walk: The Meisterschale.
Holger Tromp, communications director at Bayer 04, summed up the eventful day as follows: "Today was a great opportunity for us to make contact with a large number of the members of the community of São Paulo – whether that was the business people from the foreign trade chamber, with employees at the green mining station or simply with football fans everywhere here during our events." Tromp added: "This link should be durable to further strengthen our link to the Brazilian market and the country over the long term."
The third day in the melting pot of Brazil starts with a number of media events followed by a visit to a school. The day will be rounded off with a premiere of the Bayer 04 documentary 'A Dream Comes True' that is being broadcast in Brazil for the first time in the evening in cooperation with TV Globo to over 1,000 people at the Goethe Institute.
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
Show more
One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
Show more
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
Show more
