"I'm leaving football practically for family reasons. My colleagues and my wife are sad and wanted me to continue -- and I think I would still be able to continue -- but the time has come. I had already considered it a few years ago and I think it's the right time. I wanted to finish well, not to drag myself out," he said in an interview with Lusa.

João Paulo put an end to a 25-year career as a senior, which began at União de Leiria, with stints at União de Tomar, Sporting, FC Porto and Vitória de Guimarães, playing abroad for Rapid Bucharest (Romania), Le Mans (France), Omonia, Apollon Limassol and AEL Limassol (Cyprus), before heading to district football.

"The feeling is of duty fulfilled. I'm aware that I did my best at all the clubs I went through, to project them in the best way possible. I lay my head on the pillow every day with that feeling, without a doubt," he said.

Proof of this was never having been dazzled by squads full of 'stars', who ended up succeeding in football, such as the cases of young Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma, with whom he lined up in the 'lions' and, with the latter, also in the 'dragons'.

"Fortunately, I always had my feet on the ground. I took one step at a time and never set my sights too high. As a professional I took things very seriously, but I also knew the quality that existed in the teams. The bigger the team, the more quality there was. I don't regret anything and it was all good. There were choices that I could have made differently, for sure, but now there's no going back," he said.

At 36, João Paulo left the top Cypriot division and returned to Portugal due to a health problem of his wife, which led to an invitation from a friend to go "have some fun" at Marinhense, from the Leiria district championship, where he stayed for three seasons, followed by five more at Castrense, from the Beja district.

"Going to the district was the best decision I've made in recent times. I loved playing in the Leiria and Beja districts. It will be hard for me, but I have the advantage that the people of Castro Verde like me a lot -- and it's reciprocal -- and they will let me be in the locker room sometimes, which is the part I like the most. I didn't enjoy the training part much anymore, I had a lot of pain. It was the best time, but I still go to the locker room," he stressed.

In these 'adventures' in district football, João Paulo even went so far as to switch from central defense to attack, a change that "went well", facilitated by experience and knowing "how the center backs stepped", in a tier where he considers there to be a lot of quality.

"I came across quality players who, for one reason or another, didn't have the same opportunities that I had. Even now at Castrense, there are at least two players who, if they had been worked on, have something different there. They could have been professional footballers and that can be found in several teams," noted the veteran athlete.

After his career, João Paulo now intends to "be a little closer to his family" and use his time at home "to give support" to his wife, although he has already received invitations from those responsible for Castrense to continue to be involved with the main team.

"At the club they invited me to be sports director, but I only get involved in things head on. To be a sports director, I would have to follow the team all the time, but to do that I would continue to do what I wanted, which was to play. At this stage, I have to be a little closer to my family and give my wife some support," said the athlete.