Michael Ballack is a German former professional footballer. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Ballack was known for his passing range, powerful shot, physical strength and commanding presence in midfield.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, officially known as Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH and commonly known as Bayer Leverkusen or simply Leverkusen, is a German professional football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It competes in the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football, and plays its home matches at the BayArena.
Sami Tuomas Hyypiä is a Finnish professional football manager and a former player who played as a centre-back.
Angelos Charisteas is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a forward. Since 2019, he works as sporting director for Aris.
Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk is an American former soccer player who played as a wingback and midfielder. At the club level he represented the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Bayer Leverkusen, St. Gallen, Columbus Crew, and the LA Galaxy. A full international between 1996 and 2009, he won 85 caps for the United States national team and represented his nation at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He also represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
Ulf Kirsten is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed Der Schwatte, he is the first player in history to reach a total 100 caps playing with two different national teams. Kirsten's biggest success was the victory of the 1992–93 DFB-Pokal.
Hans-Jörg Butt, often simply called Jörg Butt, is a German former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Jacek Kamil Krzynówek is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Teddy Mark Šime Lučić is a Swedish former professional footballer and manager. He played as a centre-back. Lučić made his debut for Sweden in 1995, and represented his country at three FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships, earning a total of 86 caps.
Jens Daniel Nowotny is a German former professional footballer who played as a defender.
José Roberto da Silva Júnior, commonly known as Zé Roberto, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a left wing-back or as a midfielder. He is most well-known for his time with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, as well as Portuguesa, Grêmio and Palmeiras in the Brazilian league.
Stefan Kießling is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker for Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Nürnberg. Born in Lichtenfels, West Germany, Kießling began playing football at a young age in the youth setup at 1. FC Eintracht Bamberg before moving to the 1. FC Nürnberg academy in 2001. He made his professional debut for Nürnberg as a 19-year-old in 2003 before being sold to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2006. He stayed at Leverkusen for 12 seasons.
Javier Hernández Balcázar, commonly known by the nickname Chicharito, is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga MX club Guadalajara. He is known for his clinical finishing along with his pace and technical ability and is widely considered to be amongst the greatest Mexican players of all time.
Lars Bender is a German former professional footballer who played as a right back and defensive midfielder. He is the twin brother of Sven Bender.
Bernd Leno is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Fulham and the Germany national team.
Jonathan Glao Tah is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Germany national team.
Julian Brandt is a German professional footballer who plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team.
Kai Lukas Havertz is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Premier League club Arsenal and the Germany national team.
