Bayer Leverkusen Away Jersey 2011-13 Adidas Vintage LS

Bayer Leverkusen 2011-13 Away Long-Sleeve Jersey — Adidas, the era of the Neverkusens who refused to die

Between 2011 and 2013, Bayer Leverkusen went through a pivotal period: the Rhineland club fought every season to exist among the German top teams, with real European ambitions and a squad built to annoy anyone. This vintage Adidas long-sleeve away jersey embodies two seasons of intense Bundesliga, European nights, and serious collective football — all in 9/10 condition, which is rare for pieces from this era.

Jersey details

Season: 2011-2013
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Type: Away
Kit manufacturer: Adidas
Condition: 9/10
State: SPONSOR: — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, which gives it its collector's value

What this jersey represents

The Bayer Leverkusen of 2011 to 2013 was a club that never made a fuss outside of Germany but carried a lot of weight in the European landscape. Under the direction of Robin Dutt and then Sami Hyypiä, the BayArena remained a difficult fortress to conquer, and the team regularly participated in European competitions with impressive consistency. This was the era when the club built its identity around demanding, physical football, with an ability to produce top-level players who always ended up moving to richer clubs — and that's precisely what makes those years so endearing.

This squad included names familiar to all fans of German football: Michael Ballack ended his career in a Bayer jersey in the 2011-12 season, a strong symbol of a club that knew how to attract big figures. Alongside him, Stefan Kießling delighted the Bundesliga season after season, a reliable goalscorer and an emblem of loyalty to a club in a world of constant transfers. André Schürrle also burst onto the scene during this period before moving to Chelsea, and Lars Bender established himself as one of Germany's best defensive midfielders. A group that had everything going for it — and that's the charm of the Neverkusens.

Moments etched in this jersey

The 2011-12 Champions League — all the way to the end of Europe
Bayer Leverkusen reached the round of sixteen of the Champions League that season, eliminated by Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona at a time when no one got past Catalonia. This European campaign remains one of the club's most memorable during this period, and the away jerseys worn during those matches have obvious symbolic significance for any collector who understands the value of a Champions League night.

Ballack's farewell in the Bundesliga
Watching Michael Ballack end his career at the BayArena in 2011-12, where it all began for him in the German elite, is a moment of pure football that transcends mere sporting results. A jersey from this era is also a piece of that human story that transcends league classifications.

Kießling, season after season at the top
Stefan Kießling scored goals in the Bundesliga during these two seasons with remarkable efficiency, establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the German league. Collecting an away jersey from this era means having a direct link to the glory years of one of Europe's most underrated strikers.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is a piece made to be worn — on the field or in the stands — with finishes, materials, and construction that have nothing to do with replicas sold in supermarkets. During this 2011-2013 period, Adidas produced jerseys with particular care given to the techfit or formotion cut depending on the version, technical fabrics designed for real performance, and manufacturing details that are no longer found on current productions.

This one is in 9/10 condition, which concretely means it stands out: almost no visible signs of wear, the original colors are preserved, the seams hold perfectly. For a long-sleeve jersey over ten years old that has traveled and been through seasons, this is a rating not given lightly — and one that fully justifies its status as a serious collector's item.

Vintage Size Guide

The sizes of vintage Adidas jerseys from this era generally correspond to a more fitted cut than current standards. An M from the 2011-2013 era often corresponds to a modern S/M in terms of chest width and body length — cuts have evolved, and recent jerseys are cut wider and longer to meet new trends. Do not order blindly relying solely on your usual size.

Before confirming your order, take a measuring tape and measure the chest width and total length of your current favorite jersey, then compare with the exact measurements of the item available in photos or on the technical sheet. This is the only reliable method to avoid unpleasant surprises on a collector's jersey that cannot be returned for a size exchange.

Why have it in your collection

Bayer Leverkusen is one of those clubs that deserve far more recognition in the world of vintage jerseys than they usually get. We collect Bayern, Dortmund, Italian and English clubs — but pieces from the Werkself from this period are rare on the secondary market, produced in limited quantities for a club that never had the commercial reach of the European giants. This is precisely what makes them choice pieces: less seen, harder to find, and deeply rooted in a period of very high-quality German football.

And in 9/10 condition, we're talking about a rarity within a rarity. There aren't many in this condition on the market — a long-sleeve away jersey from Leverkusen between 2011 and 2013, almost impeccable, is the kind of piece you regret not having picked up when it comes along and you don't see it again for years. The long-sleeve version is also even rarer than the short-sleeve model, produced in smaller quantities and less often kept in good condition.

To go further

• Bayer Leverkusen - Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive - Kit history
• UEFA - European Football

If you're looking for a rare, off-the-beaten-path Bundesliga piece in a condition that's a joy to behold — you're in the right place. The decision is yours.