Biography
Who is Paulo Silas?
Early life and background
Paulo Silas do Prado Pereira was born on August 27, 1965, in Campinas, Brazil. He grew up alongside his twin brother, Paulo Pereira, and his older brother, Eli Carlos, who was also a professional footballer. His nickname, Silas, was adopted by another Portuguese footballer during his time at Sporting CP because of a physical resemblance between the two players.
His professional path began in the mid-1980s when he broke through as a central midfielder at São Paulo FC. This initial period established his reputation as a key player in the Brazilian domestic league, setting the stage for his subsequent moves to international clubs in Europe and South America throughout his career, which spanned from 1984 until 2003.
International and club playing career
Throughout his career, Paulo Silas represented numerous teams across Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, Japan, and Italy. Well-known clubs on his professional resume include Sporting CP, San Lorenzo de Almagro, CR Vasco da Gama, Rio Branco Esporte Clube, and Kyoto Sanga FC. During his debut season with Sporting CP in 1988, he scored 14 goals in 52 appearances, including an important goal against Ajax in the UEFA Cup.
On the international stage, he earned 34 caps for Brazil between 1986 and 1992. He was a member of the squad that won the 1989 Copa América and represented his country at the FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1986 and 1990. Also, he was part of the Brazil under-20 team that secured victories in both the 1985 South American Youth Football Championship and the FIFA World Youth Championship.
Management and coaching roles
Paulo Silas transitioned into management in 2007, starting his coaching career after working as an assistant to Zetti at Fortaleza. He achieved significant domestic success with Avaí, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, which remains their best result in that competition. His coaching path eventually took him to several other clubs, including Grêmio and Flamengo in Brazil, as well as international stints in the Qatar Stars League with Al-Arabi and Al-Gharafa.
His tenure in Qatar saw him win the Emir of Qatar Cup with Al-Gharafa in 2012. After returning to Brazil, he managed teams such as América Mineiro, Ceará, and Portuguesa. During his time at Ceará, he won the Copa do Nordeste in 2015. He later served a third spell as manager of Avaí in 2016. In 2019, he shifted his focus to sports media, working as a football pundit for ESPN Brasil.
Honours and achievements
Throughout his time as a player and coach, Paulo Silas earned various titles. As a player, he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with São Paulo in 1986 and the Argentine Primera División with San Lorenzo in the 1994–95 season. His trophy cabinet also includes the 1991 Supercoppa Italiana with Sampdoria and the 1992 Copa do Brasil with Internacional.
As a manager, his accolades include the 2009 Campeonato Catarinense with Avaí, the 2010 Campeonato Gaúcho with Grêmio, and the 2011 Sheikh Jassem Cup with Al-Arabi. These titles reflect his extensive involvement in both the Brazilian and Middle Eastern football landscapes over several decades.
Birthday and age
Paulo Silas was born on August 27, 1965, which makes Paulo 61 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Paulo shares the date with 55 other famous people.
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