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.

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."

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

eSports - 12.10.2026

#B04eSports: VBL Club Championship 2026/27 starts on 15 October

The new eSports season is just around the corner. The VBL Club Championship by WOW starts on Thursday 15 October (from 18:00 CEST). And, as every year, here’s an overview: What changes are there? What is staying the same?

Fans - 12.10.2026

“Rudi invites”: Football, Bayer 04 and Leverkusen during the Nazi period – tickets on sale now

Bayer 04 record-appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn invites you to another evening in the popular ‘Rudi lädt ein’ series: on Tuesday 10 November, in collaboration with Bayer AG, the focus will be on the Nazi period. The focus will be on football, Bayer 04 and the city of Leverkusen.

Business - 12.10.2026

New network partner: Extreme Networks enters a five-year partnership

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has secured a new network partner in Extreme Networks GmbH. The leading provider of AI-powered network automation has agreed a five-year partnership with the Bundesliga club, running until 30 June 2031. As part of this, the club’s existing Wi-Fi 5 infrastructure will be replaced by more than 400 Wi-Fi 7 access points, which are specifically designed to meet the requirements of a stadium with a high user density. The aim is to enhance the fan experience while optimising operational processes and security.

Bayer 04 - 11.10.2026

8 predecessors and 1 interview that made an impression: Facts & Fun with Miguel Gutiérrez | Werkself Magazine #56

New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.

Bundesliga - 10.10.2026

Matchday news #M05B04: Werkself on the road in Mainz

With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.