With their pre-season training camp officially getting underway in a week’s time, Bayer Leverkusen have announced the opening of their football academy in São Paulo, which will be run by club legend Paulo Sérgio.
Leverkusen will begin their pre-season training camp in Brazil on July 14 and the opening of the football academy in the home of Joga Bonito is a move aimed at enhancing the club’s links to a country that has provided them with 20 Bundesliga representatives over the years.
The project, based in south São Paulo, is now the first ever Bundesliga academy established in Brazil. Leverkusen are aiming to involve aspiring footballers from the ages of five to 15 as they look to also bring German culture closer to Brazilian culture – and make an impact beyond football.
Sérgio, who played for the club between 1993 and 1997, is Leverkusen’s all-time top scorer from Brazil, and has described the academy’s opening as “one of the happiest moments” of his life.
He said: “After the World Cup, this is one of the happiest moments of my life. Bayer Leverkusen’s presence in Brazil is an achievement that represents motivation and personal satisfaction, the result of years of dedication to strengthening this bridge between the two countries.
“Our aim is to bring cultures closer together, apply German methodology and grow together. I want to give back to Brazilians everything that the Germans have done for me and my family.”
All the coaches working under Sérgio at the academy have completed training programmes and will continue to receive further training as they coordinate with the main technical staff based in Leverkusen. – Bayer Leverkusen
Sérgio’s son, Luiz Felipe, who has been appointed technical director of the academy, has stressed that the idea for the project has “always been beyond football,” adding, “it is also a social project.”
The academy will reserve 10 per cent of the spots available for children and youths from vulnerable households, with these applicants to receive football boots, uniforms and the opportunities to train under high-quality coaches.
Other legends, including Zé Roberto, Zé Elias as well as current player Arthur were all part of the academy’s opening as well.
Zé Roberto, who played for the Werkself 113 times in his career, was pleased to be at the opening and said: “I’m very happy to relive this story, I was very happy at Bayer, playing in important finals, like the Champions League. Today, I see that the project is still going strong with many children involved.”
Leverkusen begin their pre-season preparations on July 7 at the BayArena, one week ahead of the start of their camp in Brazil.