The first stop was at the Bayer AG headquarters in the south of São Paulo. Some 200 guests were present including a large number of Bayer employees. The event was also streamed live to other Bayer locations in Latin America. Simon Rolfes talked about the long-standing connection between Bayer 04 and the country through Brazilian players who have appeared for the Werkself, and he also once again reviewed the historic double winning season.
"We know we already have a lot of fans in Brazil for decades through our history with lots of Brazilian players. We also have a strong connection to the Bayer Group here," said Rolfes before adding: "Therefore, it's important for us to be here on the spot to share last year's fantastic season with you. Bringing the trophies here goes without saying for us because Brazilian players and fans were always, and are now too, an important part of our success." Afterwards Rolfes fielded a host of questions in a relaxed session with the audience. Of course, selfies with the three trophies were in great demand.
Arturo Sánchez, president of Bayer Consumer Health Latin America and Asia/Pacific, was also delighted: "I'm happy to be able to welcome Bayer 04 here. I believe there are a lot of parallels between the Bayer company structure and a football team. In our company we have to produce results and always think about the strategies needed so we can win in the market. And in football it's about being successful and dealing with the challenge of meeting the constant pressure. Bayer 04 were outstanding in that respect last season. We are proud to be part of it." Rolfes, Paulo Sergio, Bayer 04 legend and 1994 World Cup winner, plus Kim Falkenberg, head of recruitment at Bayer 04, rounded off the afternoon with an official presentation of a jersey to Sánchez.
Later in the evening, there was a Champions Night organised by Bayer Brazil for partners and invited members of the media. Here too, the trophies were the most popular subject to photo. Sergio provided an emotional summary of the day: "Being a Bayer 04 ambassador and bringing the club closer to Bayer Brazil and the people here in my home country means very much to me. I've worked towards achieving that."
Rolfes, Sergio and Co. have a meeting with the German-Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade on Wednesday. Bayer 04 are also set to conclude a partnership with the Plastiks company and visit a green mining recycling station.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
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