1.06.2025Bayer 04

Legends: Schnix, the ‘white Brazilian’

Bernd Schneider, born in Jena on 17 November 1973, spent his early years in the German Democratic Republic. He took his first steps in football at the two Jena clubs BSG Aufbau and FC Carl Zeiss, the biggest club in his hometown. He played in the second division for six years in the 90s. Bernd Schneider stood out as an accomplished dribbler with his experience from street football always evident. His nickname Schnix comes from the Thuringian dialect: ‘Schnixeln’ is a synonym for dribbling, being able to control the ball. After Jena were relegated in 1998, Schnix went in the opposite direction. Newly promoted Eintracht Frankfurt brought into the Bundesliga. He spent a year there.

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He came to Leverkusen in 1999. In his first year at Bayer 04, Bernd Schneider and his teammates had a traumatic experience. A defeat against newly promoted Unterhaching on the last day of the season saw the Werkself miss out on winning the league title. 2002 turned out to be even more of a blow with Bayer 04 again finishing second in the Bundesliga and defeats in both the DFB Pokal final against Schalke 04 as well as the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Schnix went on to help shape the Werkself game for many years as he experienced highs and lows with Bayer 04. He fought for the dream of winning a trophy to the end. After a complicated injury that forced him to take a break of more than a year in 2008/09, Bernd made an emotional comeback on matchday 33 in the home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Düsseldorf.

Shortly after Schnix returned to the Leverkusen line-up, the then Germany coach Erich Ribbeck picked him for the national team. Bernd was in the squad for the Confed Cup in 1999. He was not involved in Euro 2000 a year later but then made the breakthrough for Germany under team boss Rudi Völler. Schnix was one of the best players on the pitch in 2001 in the crucial play-off matches in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

That earned him a place in the Germany squad for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. As a first choice on the right side of midfield, he made it all the way to the final with Germany. Bernd Schneider had one of the best games of his career against the clear World Cup favourites Brazil including superstar Ronaldo. He drove his opposite number Roberto Carlos to distraction with his wily tricks and was a constant threat to the Brazilian defence. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat and the fourth runners-up title in 2002 for the "white Brazilian."

Two years later, Bernd and Germany went out of Euro 2004 in Portugal at the group stage. He was once again after the backbone of the Germany World Cup team in 2006. In the 4-2 win in the opening match against Costa Rica, he led the Germany team out as captain in place of the injured Michael Ballack. Schnix play for Germany up to the start of 2008 when a back injury ended his international career.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrated his achievements in style after the involuntary end to his career in 2009. May 2010 brought an emotional farewell appearance with a lot of former contemporaries from Jena, Frankfurt and the Germany team – including Jens Lehmann, Michael Ballack, Ulf Kirsten, Oliver Neuville and many more. The commentator Marcel Reif best summed up what many people throughout Germany were thinking: “He gave us pleasure with his way of playing football. Leading without big gestures, without airs and graces. That's how you'd like to see your sons on the pitch. Bernd Schneider, I really liked you. All the best."

After his playing career ended he settled in his hometown of Jena with his wife Carina and the two children. The Bayer 04 honorary captain is still a regular visitor to the BayArena and from time to time he plays for our veterans team.

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