Club legend Paulo Sergio on #B04FCB: ‘Anticipation for this game is massive in Brazil as well’

The 1994 World Cup winner, in his role as official club legend, is attending numerous events on behalf of the German double winners around the top game at the BayArena. He talked about what they are and his expectations for the meeting with FC Bayern plus a very personal "dream" that came true last year…

Paulo, after last year's visits to celebrate the league title, the two finals and the Coming Home event in May plus the Supercup in August, you are in Leverkusen this time for the top match against FC Bayern. There is huge media interest in this game worldwide and it will be broadcast in 200 countries. What is the level of interest in Brazil for the clash between the current champions and the record champions?

Sergio: The Bundesliga and Brazil have been closely linked for years and the anticipation ahead of this game is massive there too. The Bundesliga arouses great interest in Brazil, a lot of people in Brazil love German football. Of course, one reason is primarily the many Brazilian players who play or have played in the Bundesliga – including at Bayer 04. When I was playing in the 90s there was one TV company in Brazil that showed the Bundesliga, now there are four or five broadcasters. The interest in Leverkusen has visibly increased recently. That development really pleases me and this connection is important through my personal experience. That's why I put so much time and energy into the Bayer 04 and Bundesliga projects in Brazil.

Along with the match, you are involved in a number of events for Bayer 04 this week. What does that look like for you?

Sergio: Of course, there are lots of media events, above all TV interviews with different broadcasters from Spain, Mexico or Brazil. I will also play a bit of football with children and teenagers in a hall in Leverkusen and I’m really looking forward to that. In general, I'd like to meet as many people as possible including fans while I'm here. I'm happy to be here.

You've been representing Bayer 04 for a year as a club legend. In November 2024 you were part of the Leverkusen delegation on the Trophy Tour to São Paulo, your hometown. What is the day-to-day involvement for a club legend?

Sergio: I represent Bayer 04 on different projects, media events and events in Brazil and all of South America. At the beginning I couldn't really imagine much in this role but conversations with the management produced exciting ideas and aroused great motivation in me. The aforementioned Trophy Tour with Simon Rolfes (sporting managing director) and Kim Falkenberg (head of recruitment) in my hometown of São Paulo was obviously a great highlight and a dream come true for me. Experiencing something like that 30 years after playing for Leverkusen is indescribable. Bayer 04 was the first German club to come to Brazil with their trophies. Those experiences will remain with me forever – and are a good basis for everything we are intending to do together.

Back to the forthcoming top match. The Werkself are unbeaten in the last five games against FC Bayern and have won three of those games, most recently in the DFB Pokal in Munich. What sort of game are you expecting at the BayArena on Saturday night?

Sergio: It is a special and a very important game for both teams. I will follow it from the stands very closely and with excitement. Also because I'll be talking about the game next week as a TV pundit in Brazil. The two best teams in Germany are playing each other, I'm sure of that: We can expect a great night of football!

Finally the obligatory question you can't get out of ahead of the top game like that: How will it finish?

Sergio: Bayern had a difficult and intense game in Glasgow during the week (2-1 win at Celtic) and not all that much time to recover. The couple more days rest for Bayer 04 could play a role – even though I preferred games to training when I was a player. (He laughs) I think Leverkusen will win 2-1.

On Paulo Sergio:

Paulo Sergio joined Bayer 04 from Corinthians São Paulo from his home country Brazil, it was the first overseas club of his career. The striker stayed at Leverkusen for four years and in that time won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 before moving on to AS Roma and then Bayern Munich. Since February 2024, the now 55-year-old former player has been an official club legend for Bayer 04, primarily in South America and particularly in Brazil. In addition to media and marketing events, Sergio develops and supports different projects in South America on behalf of the German double winners.