1.04.2023Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month: Tita turns 65

Milton Queiroz da Paixao, nicknamed Tita, was born in Rio de Janeiro on 1 April 1958. The prolific, attacking midfielder took his first steps in professional football in his hometown at Flamengo Rio and he played for Vasco de Gama in his last season in Brazil before the move to Leverkusen. He won the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, in 1981 and then went on to beat Liverpool 3-0 in the Intercontinental Cup alongside superstars including Zico and Leandro. Tita played for Vasco de Gama in 1986 where he was the Brazilian Player of the Year. He then came to the attention of Bayer 04 Leverkusen but the small and lively maestro was only signed a year later.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

Tita and his family landed at Düsseldorf airport in September 1987 on the day of the derby against FC Köln – and he played for 30 minutes that evening at the Müngersdorfer Stadium. But he only got off the mark three months later. He scored a hat-trick at Waldhof Mannheim on 28 November 1987 and a week later he scored the opening goal against FC Homburg from a free kick and he provided the assist for the second goal by Falko Götz from a corner. As his late move to Germany meant he could only play in Europe from 1988, he was happy about the club going through in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 against Feyenoord in December and he was eagerly looking forward to – as were the whole team – the clash with the great FC Barcelona. Tita scored the winner in the 1-0 victory at the Camp Nou.

And the Brazilian got the ball rolling with a cheeky opener in the final against Espanyol. At the end of the day he played a significant role in winning the UEFA Cup, the biggest title to date in the history of Bayer 04, not just with his goal but also with his psychological tricks. He inspired his teammates thanks to his great determination and solid belief in victory. In the pre-season ahead of the 1988/89 campaign under new coach Rinus Michels, he saw his hopes dashed. After a season with 26 games and 12 goals he opted to move to Italy.

However, in spite of his nine goals in the campaign, he was relegated from Serie A with Pescara Calcio in 1992, Tita became a champion of Mexico with Club Leon and he ended his playing career in 1998 by winning the Guatemalan league title with CSD Communicaciones. He played for Brazil 31 times scoring six goals and he won the Copa America with the Selecao in 1989.

After hanging up his boots, Tita became a coach and he did that job for many years at different clubs. He was the first Brazilian player under the Bayer Cross in Leverkusen and he helped pave the way for his fellow countryman with his ability and his character.

Today, the father of five, lives with his wife Sandra in his hometown, is a keen golfer and enjoys the time with his five grandchildren.

Many happy returns on your birthday. Enjoy your life. And I end my congratulations the way you always signed autograph cards: All the best, Tita!

Related News

Heiko Scholz wird 60 | Geburtstagskind des Monats Januar

Bayer 04 - 01.01.2026

Birthday boy of the month: Heiko Scholz turns 60

Heiko Scholz was born on 7 January 1966 in Görlitz. His first club as a youth player was Dynamo Görlitz. From there, he moved up to the sports school in Dresden and played in the youth teams at SG Dynamo Dresden from 1978-1982. Not considered good enough, Scholle, as he was nicknamed, had to leave the sports school to play his last two youth years at ISG Hagenwerder. Via BSG Chemie Leipzig and 1.FC Lokomotive Leipzig, who Heiko won the DDR Pokal with in 1987 and he also reached the European Cup Winners' Cup final (a 1-0 defeat against Ajax), his path finally led him back to his favourite club, Dynamo Dresden. For one million Deutschmarks, the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player in the former GDR, he moved from Lok Leipzig to the capital of Saxony in 1990.

Stefan Kießling – Torjäger, Teamplayer und Klubidol | Legende des Monats Januar

Bayer 04 - 01.01.2026

Legends: Stefan Kießling - goalscorer, team player and club idol

Stefan Kießling was born on 25 January 1984 in Lichtenfels, Franconia. Even as a young boy, he spent countless hours on the football pitches of his home town, chasing after the ball and dreaming of playing football. His parents supported him, but they bring him up in a down-to-earth manner - hard work, honesty and modesty are values that characterise him from an early age. His talent became apparent early on, but his ambition was even more striking. Kießling always wants to improve, wants to give more than others.

Bayer 04 - 01.01.2026

From the archives: 90 years ago - a big match in Leverkusen

On Sunday 26 January 1936, the local derby between relegation-threatened BV Wiesdorf and league leaders SSV ‘Bayer’ Leverkusen took place in the first district league of the Rhein-Wupper district. On the old BV Wiesdorf pitch, where the Leverkusen job centre is today, 1,800 spectators gather to watch the match.

Vor 40 Jahren – Erster Bundesliga-Sieg in Müngersdorf | Spiel des Monats Januar

Bayer 04 - 01.01.2026

Match of the month: 40 years ago - First Bundesliga win in Müngersdorf

It is Friday, 31 January 1986, the derby in Cologne is coming up and we're full of confidence after the home win against Hamburg SV a week earlier, having turned a 2-0 deficit at the break into a 3-2 victory. In particular, the Greek amateur player Minas Hantzidis, who came on as a half-time substitute, turned the game around. Two goals from Bum-kun Cha and a penalty from Christian Schreier gave us two important points in the battle for a UEFA Cup place. We are one point behind the North Germans in fifth place in the table, six points ahead of our neighbours from Cologne.

Von Cha bis Baumgartlinger | Tore des Monats Januar

Bayer 04 - 01.01.2026

Goals of the month: From Cha to Baumgartlinger

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of January. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.