FC Barcelona Legend Announces Retirement From Football
- Paulinho announced his retirement from football via social media, reflecting on his career and achievements.
- He began his professional career at Pao De Acucar and faced challenges, including racism in Poland, before finding success in China and Europe.
- His retirement is recognized by peers, including Andres Iniesta, highlighting the impact he had on the sport.
Paulinho, a former star of FC Barcelona and a celebrated player for Corinthians, announced his retirement from football through an emotional video on social media. The 36-year-old reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for being a multi-champion and for the opportunity to compete in two World Cups. He shared that his last match with Corinthians, attended by 45,000 fans, felt like the perfect farewell to his playing days. Starting his professional journey at Pao De Acucar, Paulinho faced significant challenges, including experiences of racism in Poland that nearly led him to quit football. After struggling to make an impact in the UK, he found success in China with Guangzhou Evergrande, where he spent three terms before moving to Barcelona in 2017. His time at Barca marked the pinnacle of his European career, after which he returned to Guangzhou and later played for Al-Ahli. Paulinho's career is notable not only for his achievements but also for the resilience he demonstrated throughout his journey. He earned 56 caps for the Brazilian national team, a feat that many aspiring players dream of achieving. His contributions to the sport have been recognized by peers, including FC Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta, who praised him on social media, calling him a "great" and a "brother." As he steps away from the game, Paulinho leaves behind a legacy that many Brazilian players would aspire to emulate. His retirement marks the end of an admirable career filled with significant accomplishments and memorable moments on the pitch.