Back
15.02.2024Bayer 04

Bayer Leverkusen Names Brazilian Football Icon Paulo Sergio as Official Bayer 04-Legend

Bayer 04 Leverkusen today proudly announced the appointment of Paulo Sergio, the revered Brazilian football icon and 1994 World Cup winner, as its newest Official Bayer 04-Legend. This strategic addition will support the club's growing popularity in the South American and Brazilian markets, leveraging Sergio's background as a former top Leverkusen striker and international football star specifically for media & marketing appearances while also supporting partnership projects in the region.
crop_20240209_JS_Portraitshooting_2664.jpg

With an illustrious sporting career spanning two decades, Sergio originally signed with Bayer 04 Leverkusen from Corinthians in 1993, spending four seasons with the club. During that time, he made over 120 appearances and scored 47 goals with Die Werkself and became a World Cup champion for Brazil before leaving for AS Roma in Serie A. He later captured a Champions League trophy in Munich.

"I am incredibly proud to represent Bayer 04 Leverkusen at an international level and in passionate football markets in South America," said Sergio. "The team has fantastic momentum both with its sporting performance on the field this season, but also as it continues to grow globally as one of the top brands in the Bundesliga and one of the world's most prominent clubs. With such a strong legacy of Brazilian and South American talents coming to Leverkusen in the past decades, there is a lot of excitement here around the club amongst fans and young footballers."

Paulo Sergio

Sergio was among the first of a wave of stand-out Brazilians to play in Leverkusen, a list that includes national team players Emerson (1997-2000), Ze Roberto (1998-2002) and Lucio (2001-2004). Given his stature as a former Bundesliga star, Sergio also represents the DFL in an official capacity, providing Leverkusen unique opportunities and synergies for future events to promote the German Bundesliga on the whole.

"Our Bayer 04 sporting tradition includes many exciting players that came from Brazil and South America who are now part of the history and excellence of our club, so I am pleased for the opportunity to have Paulo Sergio working alongside us regularly on strategic initiatives in the Americas," said Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro. "Sergio is a tremendous football star, but more importantly he is an incredible ambassador for the game and Bayer 04 Leverkusen with his charm, humor and character."

Leverkusen's roster currently features four South Americans including Brazilian Arthur and the only World Cup winner in the Bundesliga, starting midfielder Exequiel Palacios.

Sergio was on-hand in Leverkusen last week to meet with media and is scheduled to make appearances at watch parties and partner events for Bayer 04 in the next few months across the Americas.

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #B04VfB
Bundesliga - 09.05.2026

Matchday news #VfBB04: Taking the next big step with the full weight of our fans behind us

Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel beim VfB Stuttgart | 33. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 08.05.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #VfBB04: 'Take the push from the last game to Stuttgart'

Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.

Show more
Maja Sternad und Achim Feifel
Women - 08.05.2026

Slovenia international Maja Sternad moves from Bremen to Bayer 04

Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.

Show more
VfB Stuttgart
Bundesliga - 07.05.2026

Our next opponents: VfB still have their fate in their own hands

It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Arthur
Bayer 04 - 06.05.2026

Bayer 04 extend contract with full-back Arthur to 2031

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with full-back Arthur ahead of schedule. The Werkself have agreed a new deal with the Brazilian to 30 June 2031. The 23-year-old was previously under contract to the summer of 2028.

Show more