Paulinho built his reputation as a powerful, box-to-box midfielder whose late runs and knack for arriving in the penalty area made him a goal threat from deep. He rose to prominence with Corinthians, helping the São Paulo club to major honours, before earning moves to European football with Tottenham Hotspur and later Barcelona.
A regular for Brazil during his peak, he combined physical drive with a surprising eye for goal, and his career spanned three continents as he alternated between the Chinese Super League and elite European competition.