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

Bundesliga - 06.02.2026

Our next opponents: ‘The top priority is and remains staying up’

After just two points from their last four games, the situation has become trickier for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the bottom third of the table. Only three points separate the Foals from the relegation play-off spot. Coach Eugen Polanski's team is under pressure ahead of the home game against the Werkself on Saturday, 7 February (kick-off: 18:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.

eSports - 06.02.2026

#B04eSports: Register now for the Werkself Wildcard Cup and secure your place in the VBL Open Play-offs

Calling all eSports fans: On Saturday, 21 February (from 16:00 CET), the Werkself Wildcard Cup will take place at XPERION Köln (Hansaring 97, 50670 Cologne). Interested EA FC 26 amateur players will have the opportunity to win attractive prizes and a place in the VBL Open Play-offs by WOW. The play-offs are the final preliminary stage of the VBL Grand Final by WOW, the tournament for the German individual championship and, alongside the club championship (VBL CC), the most important sub-competition in the German eSports scene. Read on for information on registration.

Women - 05.02.2026

Women’s Bundesliga sets course for next steps

At its first general meeting on 5 February 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, the Frauen Bundesliga FBL e.V. made key decisions regarding the future direction of the Women’s Bundesliga. The meeting was based on the results of the negotiations with the German Football Association (DFB) over the past few weeks.

DFB-Pokal - 04.02.2026

Werkself review #B04FCSP: 'Not going to rest on or laurels, but keep giving it our all'

Another efficient performance from the Werkself in the 3-0 home win against FC St. Pauli saw them reach the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third time in a row, and it was not the only record set on what was a successful evening. It meant head coach Kasper Hjulmand was delighted to "still be in with the chance of winning something". Like the coach, however, the ambitious Edmond Tapsoba also stated that he wanted to keep "improving" bit by bit: "We'll continue to give our all, no matter who we come up against." The Werkself review of the clash.