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.

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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

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