As with last week, when Victor Boniface and Odilon Kossounou called in on the children, a relaxed round of questions took place on the coaches benches at the BayArena. In warm summer weather, 60 children gathered in excited mood for the arrival of Arthur. When the door to the changing rooms finally opened the Brazilian was greeted with loud applause.
Arthur revealed to the children that he liked to listen to music before matches to be able to fully concentrate on the game. On the best moment of his career to date, the 21-year-old said: "The best moment was when we won the German league title. It was a great day and the atmosphere was brilliant. I really like the atmosphere with our fans at the BayArena."
With the question of who his best friend is in the team, Arthur had to think for a moment but then said with certainty: "Everybody!" The Brazilian also provided a swift response the question "Düsseldorf or Cologne?" Arthur: "Leverkusen!"
The Brazilian also revealed to the children that his fellow countrymen Ronaldinho and Neymar were his role models in football, his home country of Brazil is also his favourite holiday destination and that his teammate Jeremie Frimpong is the funniest man in the dressing room.
The relaxed round of questions, where the children also praised Arthur for his good German, was followed by the next traditional highlight of the day: Selfies and autographs with the Werkself player. The children bought their own Meisterschale with them. Arthur spent a lot of time meeting the many requests from the children. Finally there was a group photo before the 21-year-old headed back to the dressing room leaving behind a sea of beaming faces.
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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