Paulo da Silva

Paulo da Silva
Personal information
Full name Paulo César da Silva Barrios
Date of birth 1 February 1980 (1980-02-01) (age 32)
Place of birth Asunción, Paraguay
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current club Zaragoza
Number 14
Youth career
Atlántida
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1997 Atlántida 29 (0)
1997–1998 Cerro Porteño 30 (1)
1998–1999 Perugia 2 (0)
1999–2000 Lanús 12 (1)
2000–2001 Venezia 7 (0)
2001 Cosenza 2 (0)
2002–2003 Libertad 30 (2)
2003–2009 Toluca 196 (12)
2009–2011 Sunderland 18 (0)
2011– Zaragoza 24 (0)
National team
1999 Paraguay U20 ? (?)
2000– Paraguay 100 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 November 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2 July 2011

Paulo César da Silva Barrios (born 1 February 1980 in Asunción) is a Paraguayan football defender, who has played for the Paraguay national football team since 2000.[2] He currently plays for Real Zaragoza in the Spanish La Liga.

Contents

Career

Throughout his career Da Silva has left a mark, especially in the Mexican League, by being a consistent good defender and leader.

Club

Da Silva started his career in the youth divisions of Atlántida Sport Club. Before joining Toluca, da Silva played for Perugia and Venezia of Italy, and Lanús of Argentina. He joined Toluca from Paraguayan club Libertad for the 2003 Apertura. Since making his debut, da Silva has been a mainstay in Toluca's defence, starting all but one game that he has played and eventually becoming the team's captain due to his leadership on the field. In 2007 he was chosen for the "Ideal Eleven" squad of South America[3] and in 2008 he led Toluca to the Apertura 2008 title, being chosen as the best overall player of the tournament by the Mexican media.[4]

Sunderland

On 13 July 2009, Da Silva joined Sunderland A.F.C. on a three year deal.His arrival at the Stadium of Light was followed by a long and confusing period in regards to his visa application. Da Silva was granted a work permit to play in England almost immediately but had to wait for over a month to get his visa before it was eventually granted on 12 August. He made his debut on the 24th August against Norwich City in the League Cup. Da Silva, like John Mensah, made his full debut for Sunderland in their 2–0 win against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup 4th round. Paulo was rotated throughout his first season at the club but performed consistently when required. Manager Steve Bruce cited 'settlement' as the reason behind playing Da Silva in phases, stating he needs time to adjust to the English game and lifestyle. Da Silva was joined at the club by his international teammate Christian Riveros in May 2010. Da Silva's second season at Sunderland was a difficult one, as he made just a handfull of appearances. His last appearance for Sunderland came in their home defeat to Notts County in the FA Cup on 8 January 2011.

Real Zaragoza

Da Silva joined Real Zaragoza from Sunderland in January 2011 for an undisclosed fee.[5]

International career

He played for Paraguay in 1997 and 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, but missed the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. However, he was named in the 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,[6] featuring in all five of Paraguay's games in their run to the quarter-finals, and provided an assist for Sunderland teammate Cristian Riveros in their 2-0 win against Slovakia in the group stages.

Honours

Libertad
Toluca
Individual

References

External links