Paulo da Silva

For the Brazilian wrestler with the same name, see Giant Silva.
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Da Silva and the second or maternal family name is Barrios.
Paulo da Silva

Da Silva in 2011
Personal information
Full namePaulo César da Silva Barrios
Date of birth1 February 1980
Place of birthAsunción, Paraguay
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)[1]
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current team
Toluca
Number4
Youth career
Atlántida
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1995Atlántida36(0)
1996Presidente Hayes
1997Sport Colombia
1997–1998Cerro Porteño30(1)
1998–1999Perugia2(0)
1999–2000Lanús14(1)
2000–2001Venezia7(0)
2001Cosenza2(0)
2002–2003Libertad30(2)
2003–2009Toluca235(20)
2009–2011Sunderland24(0)
2011–2012Zaragoza42(1)
2012–2013Pachuca33(2)
2013–Toluca71(12)
National team‡
1994[2]Paraguay U17
1999Paraguay U2014(3)
2000Paraguay U23
2000–Paraguay119(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 March 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 June 2013

Paulo César da Silva Barrios (born 1 February 1980 in Asunción) is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Toluca FC in Mexico, as a centre back.

He has previously played top-flight football in Paraguay, Italy, Argentina, England and Spain.

He has played for the Paraguay national football team since 2000, earning over 100 caps and playing at two World Cups and two Copa América tournaments.[3]

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[4] 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.[5]

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 24 August against Norwich City in the League Cup, playing the whole 90 minutes of a 4–1 away win.[6] Da Silva, like John Mensah, made his full debut for Sunderland in their 2–0 win against Birmingham City in the League 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 needed time to adjust to the English game and lifestyle. He was joined at the club by his international teammate Cristian Riveros in May 2010. Da Silva's second season at Sunderland was a difficult one, as he made just a handful 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, with his new club in 15th in La Liga at the time.[7] They finished the season in 13th.

Toluca

Da Silva re-joined Toluca on May 31, 2013.[8]

International career

Barely aged 14, da Silva was called up to the Paraguay U17 squad in 1994.[9]

In 2000, da Silva represented Paraguay U23 at the 2000 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament.[10]

Da Silva during a friendly match against Australia in October 2010

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,[11] 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

  1. ↑ Paulo da Silva FIFA World Cup profile
  2. ↑ http://www.abc.com.py/deportes/paulo-da-silva-quiere-ser-campeon-del-mundo-con-paraguay-327025.html
  3. ↑ rsssf: Paraguay record international footballers
  4. ↑ CONMEBOL article
  5. ↑ Por encima de todos
  6. ↑ "Norwich 1-4 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Sunderland sell Paulo da Silva to Real Zaragoza". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/noticias/2013/05/31/paulo-da-silva-regresa-a-toluca
  9. ↑ http://www.abc.com.py/deportes/paulo-da-silva-quiere-ser-campeon-del-mundo-con-paraguay-327025.html
  10. ↑ http://www.11v11.com/matches/uruguay-v-paraguay-25-january-2000-268137/
  11. ↑ http://www.safc.com/news/20100601/da-silva-and-riveros-make-the-cut_2256213_2062635

External links