Born in 1990 in Dois Irmãos in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, Jeverton Cristiano Schaab studied veterinary medicine and works as a livestock manager at poultry producer Nutrifrango.

When and how did you become a Borussia Dortmund fan?
It was in 2013 that I first took an interest in the outstanding team that finished as the runner-up in the Champions League. From then on, I haven’t missed a single Borussia match on TV. Sometimes, I invite friends round for a beer so that we can cheer Borussia on together.

Have you ever been to SIGNAL IDUNA PARK stadium?
I haven’t, but it’s my big dream. That would definitely be the best day of my life. I can just imagine how exciting it must be to be in the stands during a Borussia football match at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. I hope one day my dream will come true.

Where in Brazil and with whom do you watch Borussia Dortmund games?
I watch with my whole family and sometimes my friends who by now are also huge fans. Borussia is a reason to get together in front of the family TV, enjoy a good chimarrão – a kind of hot tea that’s traditional in my region – or maybe a beer, eat popcorn and hope for victory. When Borussia Dortmund scores a goal, we all celebrate and sometimes record videos to post on Instagram Stories.

How big is Borussia Dortmund in Brazil?
With its great shirt, history and fans who form the Yellow Wall, the club is very popular in Brazil. I have several jerseys and, whenever I wear them, a lot of people comment on Borussia or compliment me on my shirt. Borussia Dortmund is more popular in Brazil than you might imagine and a lot of locals root for the team.

Which Borussia Dortmund players are your favorites and why?
For me personally, Marco Reus’ leadership and loyalty to the club sets him apart as the player who best represents Borussia. And Haaland, despite his youth, is already a phenomenon and definitely the greatest discovery of late in the football world.

How do you keep up to date with Borussia Dortmund?
I follow the official club, players’ and Brazilian fan clubs’ pages on Instagram. So it feels a lot like club day. Some of the local fan clubs include https://borussiadortmund.net.br/, IG brbvb09, borussia09brasil and borussiadortmundbrasil.

Interview: Uwe Schedlbauer

In this section, our main sponsor Evonik, who supports us at all of our international games, lets soccer fans who feel close to Borussia Dortmund but live nowhere near SIGNAL IDUNA PARK have their say.

Anyone who loves football, loves Brazil. It’s the only country that fans in Germany associate with an elegant style of play – so much so that a display of technical skills is known as playing like a Brazilian. The many Brazilians who used to play for Borussia Dortmund prove that they’re a pleasure not just to watch but also to meet. In the 1990s, for example, Júlio César brought his extraordinary athleticism to the German Bundesliga as well as his impeccable manners and charm. His countryman, Leonardo de Deus Santos, or Dedê for short, played his way into the hearts of the Dortmunders more than most. For 13 years, the specialist left fielder stuck with Borussia Dortmund through thick and thin, preferring to accept a lesser salary rather than leaving for another club. His passion clearly transcended football, just as Evonik pushes back boundaries in leading beyond chemistry. Spread across five locations in the east of country, around 700 people work for the German specialty chemicals group in Brazil. There are also four production sites as well as eight research and development laboratories in the country. What’s more, the Group’s key Central and South American hub is in São Paulo. Operations in Brazil span almost the entire range of Evonik products, from silica and hydrogen peroxide to specialty additives and the amino acid lysine.