Ballack, who played for Leverkusen between 1998 and 2002 and again from 2010 to 2012, said: “I feel honoured to be able to officially represent Bayer 04 in this capacity. The team is playing incredibly dominant, attractive and successful football this season. I therefore wish the team, the management and the fans a worthy end to this outstanding season.”
CEO Fernando Carro is delighted “that a global star like Michael Ballack is once again representing our colours. We want to further intensify our relationship with him in the future and complete projects together.” Leverkusen's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes, who played alongside the former Germany captain in the national team and at the BayArena, also sees this as a strong sign: “Michael made a significant contribution to turning Bayer 04 into a top club at the turn of the millennium. He and his teammates were able to win over many fans for Bayer 04 with their inspiring football. Michael has left his mark on German football over the years and therefore has great charisma that makes him ideally qualified for this role.”
In addition to Ballack, Rüdiger Vollborn will also take on important representative duties for Bayer 04 in the coming weeks. The legendary goalkeeper, who won the UEFA Cup with the Werkself in 1988 and the DFB Cup in 1993, will officially represent Bayer 04 at the DFB's big Celebration Party on the eve of the final. In addition, Rudi will fulfil numerous media and PR appointments surrounding the final. In addition to Vollborn and Rolfes, all other honorary captains – namely Stefan Kiessling, Bernd Schneider, Ulf Kirsten, Lars Bender and Carsten Ramelow – have been invited to Berlin, as has Jens Nowotny, who played a decisive role as defensive boss in the Werkself's outstanding 2001/02 season. Brazilian Bayer 04 Legend Paulo Sergio will also be on hand to answer questions from various international TV stations.
After starting his career with this year's final opponents Kaiserslautern, Ballack developed into one of the Bundesliga’s best players of his time at Bayer 04 from 1998 to 2002. During this stint, the goalscoring midfielder also gained international renown, and his moves to Bayern Munich and later to Premier League club Chelsea made him a global star.
Despite his defeat with Bayer 04 in 2002, Berlin also has positive connotations for Ballack. He won the final and got to lift the DFB Cup there twice in a row with Bayern in 2004 and 2005.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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