Nigerian stars Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella. photo by IMAGO
Nigerian stars Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have arrived in Brazil alongside their Bayer Leverkusen teammates as the former Bundesliga champions continue preparations for the new season.
The Nigerian duo, who returned to training last week after their post-season holidays, were part of the squad that undertook the long-haul eight-hour journey from Europe to South America.
A series of images and videos across different social media platforms have been shared capturing moments from the trip.
Nathan Tella handing out chocolate during the flight pic.twitter.com/enteyemeVx
— WerkselfXtra (@bayer04Xtra) July 15, 2025
The images include a couple of lighthearted shots of Tella handing out chocolate to teammates aboard the flight.
On arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Leverkusen’s squad received a warm reception at the airport.
Touchdown in Rio! Good thing Jonas had a good sleep during the long flight! pic.twitter.com/0QBQhfIkpe
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) July 15, 2025
Boniface later posted a snapshot on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, showing himself, Tella, and another teammate lounging beachside with local Brazilian drinks — a fitting start to the next leg of their preseason tour.
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Despite strong transfer links with AC Milan this summer, Boniface’s presence on the trip suggests he remains integral to Leverkusen’s plans.
The 24-year-old, one of Nigeria’s highest-paid footballers in the world, was close to sealing a move to Al Nassr in January after a multimillion-euro bid was accepted. However, the deal collapsed late when the Saudi club opted to sign Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán instead.
Angekommen am Strand von Rio! Wir freuen uns aufs #esquentaB04-Trainingslager in Brasilien #Bayer04 | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/IA9j9HxVg2
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) July 15, 2025
Boniface’s impact last year was significant, earning him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year title and a spot in the Team of the Season.
Tella also contributed key performances in Leverkusen’s historic league-winning campaign under former manager Xabi Alonso.
With Alonso now departed for Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen turned to ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to lead the next chapter. Expectations remain high as Leverkusen look to fight Bayern for the Bundesliga crown and make an impact in the UEFA Champions League.
Their time in Brazil is expected to feature intense training sessions, bonding activities, and friendly matches, as the squad gears up for a challenging season ahead.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.