Zé Roberto

Lore & Background

Zé Roberto joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 1998. During his seven-year stay, Bayer enjoyed their most successful period at the time, finishing as runners-up in the German Bundesliga on three occasions. Leverkusen also made it to the 2002 UEFA Champions League final which they lost 2–1 to Real Madrid. In seven years at the club, he appeared in 113 league matches scoring 17 goals.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the Hampden Park turf as the final whistle approached in June 2002. Zé Roberto looked up at the floodlights, his lungs burning from ninety minutes of relentless pressing. The scoreboard showed a narrow defeat to Real Madrid, but the roar of the traveling fans was still deafening. He knew this pain would define the club for years, yet he also knew they had just won the UEFA Cup days earlier. It was a bittersweet twilight for a team that refused to be forgotten.

Reader's Guide

Zé Roberto played for Bayer Leverkusen from 1998 to 2002. He joined the club from Flamengo, having previously played for Real Madrid and Portuguesa. At Leverkusen, he helped the team reach the 2002 Champions League final, where they lost to his former club Real Madrid. He then moved to Bayern Munich in May 2002.

Did You Know?

• Zé Roberto made his debut for Portuguesa and played there for two seasons before joining Real Madrid Castilla in January 1997.
• He helped Bayer Leverkusen finish as runners-up in the Bundesliga on three occasions.
• Zé Roberto scored a curling free kick against Deportivo de La Coruña in the 2001–02 Champions League.
• He announced he would join Bayern Munich before the 2002 Champions League final.