A match for all

Recently, the RB Leipzig soccer team toured Brazil as part of their post season tour. During the week-long trip through the South American country, one highlight in particular stood out for soccer fans: the friendly match against the traditional soccer club FC Santos. Over 7,600 fans came to the Cicero de Souza Marques Stadium in Bragança Paulista on May 28, 2025 to cheer on their idols.  

But on this evening, the spotlight was not only shining for the big stars: a total of 20 Brazilian children, who are looked after by the Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (APAE), accompanied the professional soocer players on their way to the pitch. The APAE is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive care for people with intellectual and complex disabilities. The excitement of the young players was palpable on site - but when the children walked onto the pitch in their red DHL jerseys, they beamed with joy and pride and entered like real professionals.  

Why did the children wear DHL jerseys? It's simple: the campaign for the player escorts was organized by DHL Express. When the team from the DHL Hub in Leipzig heard about their partner RB Leipzig's tour plans, they immediately contacted their colleagues in Brazil. Therefore, a joint appearance with RB Leipzig and DHL Express in Brazil was planned via the LEJ hub's connections.  

 “This project with RB Leipzig is special for us because it combines our passion for football with our purpose making a difference in the lives of all Brazilians, without any distinction”, emphasizes Cinthia Katachinsky, Senior Marketing Manager at DHL Express. Together, an example for more inclusion was set that made many children's eyes light up – a matter close to the heart of everyone involved.

Soccer is more than just a game - as this campaign impressively demonstrated. It's about the people who bring the game to life and are involved with full emotion. The collaboration between DHL Express and RB Leipzig not only created an exciting sporting event but also sent an important message: Everyone should be part of the game - both on the pitch and in life.