Bundesliga: The Brazilians of Bayern Munich
He's only come in on loan, but Philippe Coutinho looks like Bayern's biggest signing of what many have seen as a disappointing transfer window. He's to become the latest in a long list of Brazilians to play in Munich.
Philippe Coutinho
"With his creativity and outstanding skills, Philippe is a player who will immediately strengthen our attack," Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said after the 27-year-old signed on a one-season loan. Bayern have an option to purchase the forward after his loan expires for a fee of €120 million. "Like FC Bayern, I have big ambitions," Coutinho said.
Rafinha
Rafinha spent eight years at Bayern Munich, scoring five goals in 179 appearances between 2011 and 2019. Following the 2018-19 season, the 33-year-old Brazilian decided it was time to return home, signing with Flamenco. The right back has also made four appearances for his country.
Douglas Costa
Douglas Costa moved to Munich from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in 2015 and had made 50 appearances for Bayern by the time he moved on to Italian giants Juventus. The 28-year-old, known for his dribbling skills, speed and crossing ability, has 31 caps for his native Brazil.
Dante
Now 35, Dante has moved around quite a lot in his career, including spells with Bundesliga sides Borussia Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg. The Brazilian made 86 appearances for Bayern between 2012 and 2014. He currently plays for Nice in France's top-flight, Ligue 1.
Luiz Gustavo
Luis Gustavo (above right), seen here with former Bayern teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger, spent just two years at the club, scoring six goals in 64 appearances between 2011 and 2013. Like Dante, he wound up moving to Wolfsburg after his spell in the Bavarian capital ended. Another thing Luis Gustavo has in common with his countryman is that he too now plays in the south of France – at Marseille.
Breno
There were high hopes for Breno when he signed with Bayern as an 18-year-old center back in 2007, but his time in the Bavarian capital wouldn't be a happy one. His four years in Munich saw him appear in just 28 games, including seven on loan to Nuremberg. In 2011 he was arrested on suspicion of arson – and was later handed a jail sentence. He's now back in Brazil with Vasco de Gama.
Lucio
After moving to Munich from Bayer Leverkusen, Lucio spent five years with the Bavarians between 2005 and 2009, racking up 144 appearances before moving on to Inter Milan. The center back, who moved back to Brazil in 2013 to play for Sao Paolo, has 105 caps for his country. He currently plays for Brasiliense.
Ze Roberto
Ze Roberto had a very long playing career, having hung up his boots at Palmeiras just two years ago at the age of 43. The left-wing back or midfielder had two spells with Bayern between 2002 and 2009, making a total of 169 appearances and won 84 international caps. Ze Roberto also played for Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg. He now works as a technical advisor to Palmeiras.
Paulo Sergio
Paulo Sergio (second from left) is another Brazilian who entered the Bundesliga via Bayer Leverkusen. The forward transferred to Roma before moving back to Germany with Munich in 1999. He scored 21 goals in 77 matches for Bayern between 1999 and 2002. He made 13 appearances for Brazil and was part of the squad that won the 1994 World Cup.
Giovane Elber
Giovane Elber (above left) spent the majority of his career in the Bundesliga after starting his European career on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich from AC Milan. Strong performances in three seasons in VfB Stuttgart attracted Bayern's interest – and he signed with them in 1997. Elber scored 92 goals in 169 appearances for Bayern and made 15 appearances for Brazil.
Jorginho
Jorginho (second from left) was a right back who spent three seasons with Bayern in the mid-1990s, scoring six goals in 67 appearances – just three more matches than he played for his country. Here he is seen celebrating the 1993-94 Bundesliga title with Mehmet Scholl. Following his playing career he got into management and now coaches Brazilian side Ponte Preta.
Bernardo und Mazinho Oliveira
These were the first Brazilians to wear the Bayern colors, Bernardo (above left) and Mazinho. Bernardo didn’t last long in the Bavarian capital, returning to Brazil after just three months and four matches. Legend has it that before he arrived in Germany, he thought he had actually signed for Dortmund. Mazinho lasted four seasons with Bayern but failed to live up to expectations.