Biography
Who is Pauleta?
Early life and professional beginnings
Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, widely recognized as Pauleta, began his football path in the Azores. Born in Ponta Delgada, he initially played for local teams before starting a professional career in lower divisions. After a brief period with the youth squad at FC Porto, he joined CU Micaelense in 1994.
By 1995, the striker moved to G.D. Estoril Praia, where he played for a single season. His performance earned him a transfer to the Spanish side UD Salamanca in 1996. During his time in Spain, he scored 19 goals to help his team secure promotion to La Liga. He later joined Deportivo de A Coruña in 1998. While playing for the Galician club, he recorded 33 goals in 92 official matches, helping the team win its first league championship title in 2000.
Success in French football
In 2000, Pauleta transferred to FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France. He quickly established himself as a dominant force in Ligue 1, finishing his first season as the team's top scorer with 26 goals across all competitions. During the 2001–02 season, he achieved 22 league goals and was named the league's best player. His time at Bordeaux was marked by consistent scoring, totaling 91 goals in 130 matches before his departure.
Seeking a new challenge, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain in 2003 for a reported 12 million euro transfer fee. At PSG, the forward helped the club secure the French Cup in 2004 and 2006. He finished his stint in the French capital as the club's all-time top scorer with 109 goals in 211 appearances. This record stood until Zlatan Ibrahimović surpassed it in 2015.
International career and records
The striker represented Portugal on the international stage with distinction. He made his debut for the national team in 1997 against Armenia. Throughout his career, he appeared in two World Cups and two European Championships for his country.
On 12 October 2005, he scored twice against Latvia, which allowed him to surpass the previous record held by Eusébio to become the national team's leading goalscorer. By the time he retired from international football after the 2006 World Cup, he had accumulated 47 goals in 88 matches. This tally served as a national record at the time of his retirement. He also served as the captain of the team on several occasions, including during matches against Egypt.
Playing style and retirement
As a player, Pauleta was known for his mobility, technical ability, and strength in the air. He often operated as a lone striker, utilizing his pace and two-footedness to beat defenders. Beyond the pitch, he became the first Portuguese player to sign as a FIFA ambassador for SOS Children's Villages in 2005.
Following his professional retirement in 2008, he transitioned into an ambassadorial role at Paris Saint-Germain. He briefly returned to the field at the age of 37 to play for the amateur club Grupo Desportivo São Roque in the Azores before permanently ending his playing career. He has received honors such as the Commander of the Order of Merit of Portugal and the Officer of the Order of Prince Henry for his contributions to the sport.
Birthday and age
Pauleta was born on April 28, 1973, which makes Pauleta 53 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Pauleta shares the date with 38 other famous people.
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