Paulinho

Brazilian football star Paulinho has brought his explosive combination of skill, speed and strength to the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro. An attacking midfielder by trade, the Brazil Under-20 international is capable of playing at No.10, on either wing or as a centre-forward, and the talented youngster has already shown the world what he can do with his dynamism, assertiveness, technical ability and goal threat.

The Rio de Janeiro native rose through the academy at Brazilian club Vasco da Garma before earning promotion to the first-team squad, managed by Milton Mendes. He made his professional debut two days before his seventeenth birthday as a substitute against Vitória, recording an assist to set up teammate Guilherme’s goal in the 4-1 victory for Vasco. Eleven days later he became the youngest player ever to score at Brasileirão Série A, hitting the back of the net twice in a win over Atlético Mineiro. The young starlet caught the eye of the scouting department from Leverkusen, and in 2018 the German club announced an agreement with Vasco da Garma for Paulinnho’s transfer.

The rising talent has also made his mark internationally, helping Brazil win the South American Under-17 Championship in 2017 with team mates Alan, Vinícius Júnior, and Lincoln, scoring the opening goal in Brazil’s victory over Chile in the final. In 2021 he made his Olympic debut scoring against Germany in Brazil’s opening match.