1.02.2023Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month 3: Paulo Rink turns 50

Paulo Rink was born in the Brazilian city of Curitiba on 21 February 1973. His hometown club was Athletico Paranaense. He spent his youth at that club and often had to go in goal because he lacked the typical Brazilian style of playing. As a young player at Atletico Mineiro, he celebrated his first success in attack: as a solid and unspectacular finisher. He moved from his hometown club of Paranaense to Chapecoense and then returned to Paranaense. He scored 13 goals in 22 games back then and he came to the attention of Bayer 04.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

He finally came to Leverkusen in 1997 and, in his first year, he and Erik Meijer were the strike partners for Ulf Kirsten. He scored nine goals in the Bundesliga. Following the 1998 World Cup in France and Germany's early exit, he decided to take German nationality. His great-grandfather emigrated to Brazil from Heidelberg in 1904 so Paulo certainly had German roots. After obtaining German citizenship, he went on to win 13 international caps and became the first Brazilian in the Germany shirt and he is still called the "Alemao" (The German) in the land of his birth. He went out on loan to top Brazilian club FC Santos in 1999 but returned in the winter of 2000 and he finished the season as a runner-up in the Bundesliga with Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

His time at Leverkusen ended in November 2001 after 88 Bundesliga appearances and 29 goals. He moved on to FC Nürnberg – with a clause in the contract where he was not allowed to play for the Franconian side in Leverkusen three weeks later. After his move to Energie Cottbus in 2002, where he played for one season, his odyssey began: Paolo can definitely be described as a rolling stone as he played for five different clubs in the last four years as a player. He ended his playing career in 2007 with a testimonial in his birth city of Curitiba with his hometown club Athletico Paranaense.

Today Paulo Rink is involved in local politics in his hometown. He also set up a foundation that supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Paulo is 50 years old this month.

I wish you many happy returns and stay healthy!

Birthday boy of the month I: Walter Posner

Birthday boy of the month II: Ralf Falkenmayer

Related News

Women - 02.09.2026

Bayer 04 Women ‘fully convinced of squad’s quality’ ahead of Hoffenheim visit

Following last weekend’s big game against Wolfsburg, Bayer 04 Women face another exciting challenge as they visit Hoffenheim to kick off Matchday 3 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga on Friday (kick-off: 18:30 CEST).

Bayer 04 - 02.09.2026

‘Holidays without war’: Bayer 04, TSV and Bayer AG support summer camp for children from Ukraine

Under the slogan ‘Holidays without War’, 60 children from war-torn Ukraine took part in the summer camp organised by the German-Ukrainian association Blau-Gelbes Kreuz in Leverkusen and the surrounding area in August. The children aged between 10 and 14 – many of whom have lost their parents in the war – come from the Ukrainian twin towns of Leverkusen, Cologne and Monheim am Rhein: Nikopol, Dnipro and Volodymyr. Bayer 04, Bayer AG and TSV Bayer 04 supported the camp to mark its 10th anniversary, enabling even more children and young people than in previous years to spend a few carefree days’ holiday away from the war in the Rhineland.

Women - 01.09.2026

Ruby Grant joins Sporting CP

Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.

Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Arthur joins Werder Bremen on loan

Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.