Bayer 04 Leverkusen starts their Brazil adventure: training at Flamengo!

Bayer 04 Leverkusen starts their Brazil adventure: training at Flamengo!

Bayer 04 Leverkusen starts an exciting training camp in Rio de Janeiro next Tuesday, July 13, 2025. Under the motto “Esquenta”, which means “warming up” in Portuguese, this camp marks the start of the Werkself’s summer preparations. Cologne City Gazette reports that Leverkusen is the first Bundesliga club to travel to the Brazilian winter. In addition, sports director Simon Rolfes emphasizes the advantageous climatic conditions and the excellent training opportunities in Flamengo's performance center, the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.

The training takes place in the state-of-the-art “Ninho do Urubu”, about 30 kilometers west of the city center. This impressive facility, in operation since 2011, includes nine football pitches and two buildings with overnight accommodation covering an area of ​​140,000 square meters. Rolfes is convinced that the stay in Brazil will not only benefit the players sportingly but also personally. “The climate is simply perfect for our preparation,” he says optimistically.

Versatile program in Brazil

In keeping with the training camp, Bayer 04 will play a friendly against Flamengo's U20s at the Estádio da Gávea in the Leblon district. The duel will take place on Friday, July 18th at 2:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. German time) and will be broadcast live on Sky and Dazn. Another highlight is the city derby between Flamengo and Fluminense, in which Leverkusen will also take part.

Brazilian football culture is deeply rooted, as evidenced by the number of famous players who played for Flamengo, including legends such as Zico and Ronaldinho. As well as being Brazil's most popular football club with around 40 million supporters, Flamengo also has historical links to social issues that are reflected in the fan base.

Partnership and community engagement

Leverkusen has a long-standing relationship with Brazil. Over 20 Brazilian players, including well-known names such as Paulo Sérgio and Lucio, have worn the Werkself jersey in recent decades. In this sense, the trip will be part of a larger initiative, which also includes the opening of the “Bayer 04 Football Academy Sao Paulo” in July 2025. Flamengo President Luiz Eduardo Baptista sees the collaboration as a great opportunity for both brands.
Special activities with Brazilian Bayer 04 legends and CSR events are also on the program. Rolfes speaks of a “unique opportunity” to further strengthen the connection between Leverkusen and Brazil and to win potential new fans.

Bayer 04 will be staying at the Grand Hyatt in Barra da Tijuca during the training camp. With a Brazilian player, Arthur, in the current squad, integration into Brazilian culture is even easier. Athletics coach Daniel Jouvin will support the team in being optimally prepared for the coming season and will proudly wear his gray coaching jersey in training.

The Werkself brings a breath of fresh air to the Bundesliga and shows how important international connections are for football. The trip to Brazil will expand not only sporting but also cultural horizons, and fans can look forward to exciting insights into their team's preparation.