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.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.
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Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who moved to Arsenal FC on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, will join the English champions permanently on 1 July 2026.
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The date and kick-off time for Bayer 04’s match in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal have been confirmed. The Werkself face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday afternoon, 22 August, at 13:00 CEST. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this today, Wednesday. The Pokal tie against the Hessen state cup winners will be played at the BRITA Arena. Ticket information to follow at a later date.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro will lead a club delegation to Brazil from July 2-6 for a program of partner engagement, community activities and football development initiatives across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract of promising striker Amy Wrigge on a long-term basis. The 18-year-old Germany U19 international, currently recovering from a torn cruciate in her left knee, has signed a new contract to 30 June 2029.
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