With Talisca joining Middle East powerhouse Riyadh Crescent, Guangzhou's last foreign player has officially said goodbye.On June 20, 2021, Guangzhou Football Club officially announced that it had terminated the contract with star Paulinho, and the player himself confirmed the news through social channels.
Guangzhou club said in the announcement that due to the complex and severe situation of the global new crown epidemic, as well as the restrictions of the domestic anti-epidemic policy, it is difficult for the Brazilian star to return to the team to fulfill the contract, and the two sides decided to terminate the contract after consultation. The club would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Paulinho for his outstanding performance in the world soccer world and his contribution to Chinese soccer, and wishes him another brilliant life in the future.
Paulinho wrote on social media, "Today, an important chapter in my career draws to a close. Since joining Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015, I have had a challenging and rewarding time here. 74 goals, 172 games and 8 championship honors have seen the fruits of our partnership. These years have been the most exciting and unforgettable of my career, and I will always treasure these wonderful memories. The new crown epidemic has changed the world and forced me to say goodbye to the team early. Although my heart is full of sadness, I leave with a sense of 'mission accomplished'. I would like to thank the club, my colleagues and the friends I made in China! Guangzhou Evergrande, thank you! China, thank you!"
Paulinho has played twice for Guangzhou since 2015, winning three Chinese Super League titles, one AFC Champions League title and two Super Cups for the team, making him a decorated player. He has played a special role in Guangzhou and the entire Chinese Super League.In 2017, he moved from Guangzhou to Barcelona for a transfer fee of 40 million euros, becoming the first player to move directly from the Chinese Super League to Europe's top giants, with a transfer fee that has appreciated by several times from the time he was brought in by Guangzhou.
The 2018 season was a challenging one for Cannavaro in his second stint in charge of Guangzhou, falling behind SIPG in the league and exiting early in the AFC Champions League. After the World Cup, Guangzhou once again brought Paulinho back from Barcelona to continue writing the legend. After his second return, his overall strength was further improved, transforming from a back-row player to a striker killer, scoring double-digit goals in consecutive seasons, and even topping the Chinese Super League's second highest scorer list at one point.
A year later, Paulinho helped Guangzhou regain the Chinese Super League title and won his first career Chinese Super League MVP, becoming the centerpiece of the championship-winning team. Entering the 2020 season, the Brazilian became the team's permanent captain as Zheng Zhi grew older, and he began to play a leadership role, passing on his experience to the younger players, in addition to scoring and defending.
Unfortunately, despite scoring 12 goals and 4 assists that season, Guangzhou lost in the final and failed to defend their Super League title. He then missed the AFC Champions League due to injury and returned to his native Brazil to recuperate. However, this departure prevented him from ever returning to China. According to media reports, Paulinho had hoped to stay with the team, but due to the epidemic, he has been unable to return and even traveled to Germany to seek a visa, but ultimately failed to do so.
A six-month long period of no play and training is a major blow to a professional player, and the club could not always afford to cover the player's expenses. After negotiations between the two sides, it was finally decided to terminate the contract. Paulinho played for Guangzhou for more than four years and scored 60 goals, ranking fifth on the team's all-time scorer list, an honor that fans should always remember.
Paulinho is as much a part of the Guangzhou team as Crowe is in Portugal. The classic battle between Portugal and Germany was mesmerizing, with 36-year-old Crowe contributing a goal and an assist to continue the myth of agelessness. But his time with the Portuguese national team is diminishing day by day.
Guangzhou has not won enough
