Bayer Leverkusen boss backs Boniface to rediscover best form

Victor Boniface played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s double-winning 2023/24 season, but has been unable to maintain that level and is coming off an underwhelming and injury-hit 2025/26 campaign on loan at Werder Bremen.

Having undergone surgery for a long-standing knee issue in January, Boniface is now back at Bayer Leverkusen, where managing director for sport Simon Rolfes is hopeful he can return to his best.

"The result of the surgery gave him encouragement,” Rolfes said in an interview with Kicker, adding:

“I have a good feeling that he is motivated to get back into shape."

As Rolfes explained to Kicker, Boniface requested an immediate meeting with him to discuss his future ahead of the final matchday of the 2025/26 season. The conversation has renewed Rolfes’ belief that the 25-year-old can rediscover his top level.

For Boniface, pre-season represents a key opportunity to make an impression on new Leverkusen coach Carles Martínez Novell.

“It’s about him helping himself, and us helping him to get back into good shape. Then we'll see," Rolfes said.