In the distant past, one of the most disliked by Sporting supporters, Paulinho knew how to have the necessary patience to win the hearts of the lion supporters. Even without the starting status, which belongs to the Swede Gyokeres, the forward knew how to take advantage of every minute to make a difference and that has been proven this season.

With the goal scored in the narrow victory against Estoril, the Portuguese forward reached the twentieth of the season in all competitions, and has already equaled the number of accurate shots scored in 2016/17, while playing for Gil Vicente. In 2019/20, he registered his personal record, ending the season with 25 goals for Sporting de Braga.

Paulinho, who remains second in the list of Sporting's top scorers in 2023/24, still has a say in Sporting's league title. The fact is that if it weren't for his goals, the lions might not have been champions.

In the current season, which marked the return of the Alvalade club to the national championship titles, the lions' jersey 20 has already been decisive in winning 14 points in the I League, being directly responsible for seven of the 28 victories of the team led by Rúben Amorim.

In addition to being responsible for the victory at Estoril's home, the forward, 31 years old, was the author of the shots that resolved the two confrontations with Estrela da Amadora (3-2 and 2-1), Portimonense (2-1), Famalicão (1-0), Casa Pia (2-1) and Vizela (3-2).

Most effective player in Europe

A recent study by the Football Observatory (CIES), published before this victorious goal in Amoreira, indicated that Paulinho is one of the players who least wastes goal opportunities in the eight major leagues of European football.

The 31-year-old forward appeared ahead of names such as Robin Hack, Serhou Guirassy, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and even former Sporting player Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.

Exit door will be open in the summer

Despite the importance he has had this season, the truth is that the Portuguese international has already received several approaches from abroad and may even leave Sporting in the next transfer market.

Paulinho has received several approaches from abroad, from Turkey to Saudi Arabia and Sporting may let him leave in the summer for an amount of around 10 million euros.

The forward has a contract with the lions until June 2026 and is protected by a termination clause valued at 60 million euros. He has scored 20 goals and six assists in 45 games already played this season.

Read Also: Notes from Estoril-Sporting: Paulinho 'killed' two birds with one stone (Portuguese version)