{{short description|Brazilian footballer (born 1981)}} {{Portuguese name|Almeida|Santos}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Paulo Almeida | image = | fullname = Paulo Almeida Santos | height = {{convert|1.76|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|4|20}} | birth_place = Itarantim, Brazil | currentclub = | position = Defensive midfielder | youthyears1 = 1997 | youthclubs1 = Cruzeiro | youthyears2 = 1998–2000 | youthclubs2 = Santos | years1 = 2000–2004 | clubs1 = Santos | caps1 = 114 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2004–2006 | clubs2 = Benfica | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2005–2006 | clubs3 = Benfica B | caps3 = 27 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2006–2007 | clubs4 = Corinthians | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2008 | clubs5 = Náutico | caps5 = 5 | goals5 = 0 | years7 = 2010 | clubs7 = União Rondonópolis | caps7 = 16 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2010–2011 | clubs8 = Saba Qom | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2011 | clubs9 = Goianésia | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2011 | clubs10 = Rio Branco-AC | caps10 = 4 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2012 | clubs11 = Itumbiara | caps11 = 5 | goals11 = 2 | years12 = 2012 | clubs12 = Mixto | caps12 = 9 | goals12 = 0 | years13 = 2014 | clubs13 = Goianésia | caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 0 | years14 = 2014 | clubs14 = Mixto | caps14 = 4 | goals14 = 0 | years15 = 2015 | clubs15 = Vitória da Conquista | caps15 = 3 | goals15 = 1 | totalcaps = | totalgoals = | nationalyears1 = 2003 | nationalteam1 = Brazil | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 0 }}
'''Paulo Almeida Santos''' (born 20 April 1981), known as '''Paulo Almeida''', is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
A defensive midfielder known for his leadership, he was the captain of the Santos team, dubbed ''Meninos da Vila'', that won the 2002 Brasileirão, their first since 1968. After representing Santos in their first Copa Libertadores Finals in forty years, Almeida had an unsuccessful spell at Benfica between 2004 and 2006. Afterwards, he represented a dozen others teams in Brazil.
He was called up to represent Brazil U23 at the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup, amassing five caps as Brazil finished runners-up.
==Club career== Born in Itarantim, Bahia, Almeida career started in the regional futsal leagues, eventually leading to a seven-month spell at Cruzeiro in 1997.<ref name="first">{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida, ídolo de Itarantim|trans-title=Paulo Almeida, idol of Itarantim|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-idolo-de-itarantim.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=20 April 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> After being released by Cruzeiro, he returned to futsal and had an impressive performance in a regional tournament.<ref name="first" /> Luciano Lacerda saw him and brought him to Santos.<ref name="first" /> In 2000, the 19-year old made his professional debut in a match against Guarani, and went on establish himself in the first team, replacing Freddy Rincón in the starting eleven.<ref name="second">{{cite news|title=Lendas aprovam Paulo Almeida|trans-title=Legends approve of Paulo Almeida|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/lendas-aprovam-paulo-almeida.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=20 April 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He was described by Pelé as having the same spirit as Zito: "It's always war for him, it's a guy that does not miss a training session because he always wants to be the best. It is funny, how they are coinciding at Santos. He was proven to be a player with future, with lots of personality".<ref name="second" />
At age 20, he was named captain and in the following year, Almeida and others like Diego, Robinho, Renato and Elano, known as ''Meninos da Vila'', helped Santos win their first Brasileirão since 1968.<ref name="second" /> He remained a team regular in 2003, helping Santos reach their first Copa Libertadores Finals since 1963, losing it to Boca Juniors.<ref name="second" /> In January 2004, Santos tried to renew his contract but Almeida refused. Three months later it was announced that he would move to Benfica on a free transfer when his contract expired.<ref name="first" /> Although he still competed in the early stages of the Brasileirão, in early June, Vanderlei Luxemburgo officially released him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luxemburgo "encosta" Paulo Almeida|trans-title=Luxemburgo "sidelines" Almeida|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-era-bom-descansar.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|date=1 June 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida acerta rescisão|trans-title=Paulo Almeida terminates contract with Santos|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-acerta-rescisao.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=3 June 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
He made his debut for Benfica in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match with Anderlecht.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida: "Importante não sofrer"|trans-title=Paulo Almeida: "Important not to concede"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-importante-nao-sofrer.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=12 August 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Despite his recognition in Brazil, Almeida struggled to adjust to the tempo of European football, and by November it was speculated that he would be loaned out.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida no mercado|trans-title=Paulo Almeida transfer listed|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-no-mercado.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=24 November 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He was offered back to Santos in an unsuccessful bid from Benfica to Robinho,<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida: "Prometo apagar má imagem"|trans-title=Paulo Almeida: "I promise to improve my bad image"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-prometo-apagar-ma-imagem.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=24 December 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida não quer sair|trans-title=Paulo Almeida wants to stay|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-nao-quer-sair.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=20 December 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> and as the season progressed, he slipped down the pecking order and was demoted to the reserve team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reforços na equipa B|trans-title=B-team gets new reinforcements|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/reforcos-na-equipa-b.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=24 April 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida: "Contratação não foi à toa"|trans-title=Paulo Almeida: "My signing was not a mistake"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-contratacao-nao-foi-a-toa.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=25 April 2004|language=Portuguese}}</ref> After not finding a team in the summer of 2005, Almeida remained with the B-team and competed in the third tier, until he opted to terminate his contract with Benfica in April 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goleada só apareceu frente aos dispensáveis|trans-title=Thrashing only appeared against the reserves|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/goleada-so-apareceu-frente-aos-dispensaveis.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=1 September 2005|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida rescinde contrato|trans-title=Paulo Almeida rescinds contract with Benfica|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-rescinde-contrato.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=24 April 2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida lamenta falta de oportunidades|trans-title=Paulo Almeida regrets lack of opportunities|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/paulo-almeida-lamenta-falta-de-oportunidades.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=25 April 2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
Almeida returned to Brazil and in June, he signed with Corinthians, reuniting with Émerson Leão.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida, antigo médio do Benfica, é o mais recente reforço do Corinthians.|trans-title=Paulo Almeida, former Benfica midfielder, is the newest signing of Corinthians|url=https://diariodigital.sapo.pt/news.asp?id_news=232408|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Diário Digital|date=16 June 2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Corinthians perto de acertar com volante Paulo Almeida|trans-title=Corinthians close to signing Paulo Almeida|url=http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especial/sc/qualidade-de-vida-sc/19,0,1197439,|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Clicrbs|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He debuted on 5 August against Clube Atlético Paranaense,<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida eufórico com sua estréia no Corinthians|trans-title=Paulo Almeida euphoric in debut for Corinthians|url=http://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/esportes/paulo-almeida-euforico-com-sua-estreia-no-corinthians-a5j5khh3ty8l8n0jiljlgb8em|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Gazeta do Povo|date=5 August 2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref> and represented the team until July 2007, when he rescinded his contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida rescinde com Timão|trans-title=Paulo Almeida rescinds with Corinthians|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/paulo-almeida-rescinde-com-timao.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=1 July 2007|language=Portuguese}}</ref> His next club was Náutico which he played for between December 2007 and August 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paulo Almeida é o novo reforço do Timbu|trans-title=Paulo Almeida is the new signing of Timbu|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/ESP/Noticia/Futebol/Nautico/0,,MUL239532-4285,00.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Globoesporte|date=26 December 2007|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
Almeida then changed clubs almost every six months, passing through União Esporte Clube,<ref>{{cite news|title=Que fase! Paulo Almeida, ex-Santos, fecha com clube matogrossense|trans-title=What a shock! Paulo Almeida, former Santos players, signs with União Esporte Clube|url=http://www.futebolinterior.com.br/futebol/Mato-Grossense/Unica/2010/noticias/2010-01/Que-fase!-Paulo-Almeida-ex-Santos-acerta-com-clube-matogrossense|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Futebol Interior|date=17 January 2010|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Goianésia, Rio Branco, Itumbiara, among others.<ref>{{cite news|title=Os jogadores ex-União Esporte Clube são os novos reforços do Estrelão para a Serie C do Brasileiro|trans-title=The players former União are the new signings of Estrelão for the Série C|url=http://www.futebolmt.com.br/noticia/futebol/rio-branco-do-acre-contrata-paulo-almeida-e-rafael-cordova|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Futebol MT|date=20 April 2011|language=Portuguese}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Por onde anda Paulo Almeida, campeão brasileiro em 2002?|trans-title=Where is 2002 Brazilian champion Paulo Almeida?|url=http://torcedores.com/noticias/2015/03/por-onde-anda-paulo-almeida-campeao-brasileiro-em-2002|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Torcedores.com|date=3 April 2015|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
==International career== Almeida represented his national team five times, all of them in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Brazil sent their under-23 team, because their main team was competing in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Gomes convoca sub-23|trans-title=Ricardo Gomes calls under-23 team|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/ricardo-gomes-convoca-sub-23.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=2 July 2003|language=Portuguese}}</ref> Nevertheless, all the appearances and goals in this tournament were recognized by FIFA as full international caps.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2002–2003 |url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil200203.htm |accessdate=22 May 2009 |date=11 October 2008 |publisher=RSSSF }}</ref> Almeida played with teammates, Robinho and Diego, plus others like Kaká and Nilmar, with Brazil reaching the final, where they lost one-nil with Mexico.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricardo Gomes satisfeito|trans-title=Ricardo Gomes satisfied|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/internacional/detalhe/ricardo-gomes-satisfeito.html|accessdate=22 March 2016|work=Record|date=29 July 2007|language=Portuguese}}</ref>
==Honours== '''Santos''' *Copa Libertadores: runner-up 2003 *Brasileirão: 2002, 2004
'''Benfica''' *Primeira Liga: 2004–05 *Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: runner-up 2004
'''União Rondonópolis''' *Campeonato Mato-Grossense: 2010
'''Rio Branco-AC''' *Campeonato Acreano: 2011
'''Brazil''' *CONCACAF Gold Cup: runner-up 2003
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{ForaDeJogo}} *{{NFT}} *{{FIFA}} {{Brazil squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Brazil|Association football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Almeida, Paulo}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Brazilian men's footballers Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers Category:Santos FC players Category:S.L. Benfica footballers Category:S.L. Benfica B players Category:SC Corinthians Paulista players Category:Clube Náutico Capibaribe players Category:Saba Qom F.C. players Category:Rio Branco Football Club players Category:Itumbiara Esporte Clube players Category:Mixto Esporte Clube players Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players Category:Primeira Liga players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran Category:2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:União Esporte Clube players Category:Brazil men's international footballers Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal