
In the qualifying tournament for the Olympics, Paulinho clocked up the third win in three games with the Brazil U23 team. The Seleção Olimpica beat Bolivia 5-3 in the penultimate group match for the play-offs. That means the Brazil U23s are through ahead of the final group game against Paraguay on Friday 31 January. Paulinho was in the starting line-up against Bolivia and he was substituted on 76 minutes with the score at 4-2.
The South American Association CONMEBOL has two places at the Olympic Games – a total of ten countries are battling in two groups in the qualification tournament. The top two teams in group stages will play each other to determine who will qualify.

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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