Paulo Assunção
Encyclopedia
Paulo Assunção da Silva (born 25 January 1980 in Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso), known as Assunção, is a Brazil
ian footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid in La Liga
, as a defensive midfielder.
He is best known for his positioning and tackling, and also holds a Portuguese
passport, due to the many years in spent in the country.
, Assunção emigrated to Portugal, having a short stint with F.C. Porto's B side, returning shortly after returning to Palmeiras. In 2002–03, he joined Madeira
's C.D. Nacional, and made his Portuguese first division debut on 26 January 2003, in a 0–0 home tie against Vitória de Guimarães.
After two highly successful individual seasons, Assunção was snapped again by Porto, but would be loaned for the 2004–05 season to AEK Athens FC, then managed by former Porto manager Fernando Santos. In July 2005, he returned to Porto, going on to be an instrumental element in the side's midfield (alongside Raul Meireles and Lucho González), as it eventually achieved three consecutive league championships.
In early July 2008, after buying out the remainder of his contract, Assunção joined Atlético Madrid. He adjusted quickly with the capital
side, playing in all league
matches safe four and helping it repeat the fourth-place finish, with a subsequent UEFA Champions League
qualification.
Defensive-minded Assunção scored his first goal for the Colchoneros on 17 January 2010, during the side's 3–2 home win against Sporting de Gijón
. whilst continuing as the undisputed first-choice at holding midfielder. He lost that position midway through 2010–11
, to newly signed Mario Suárez
.
Atlético Madrid
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, as a defensive midfielder.
He is best known for his positioning and tackling, and also holds a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
passport, due to the many years in spent in the country.
Football career
After first appearing professionally for Sociedade Esportiva PalmeirasSociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...
, Assunção emigrated to Portugal, having a short stint with F.C. Porto's B side, returning shortly after returning to Palmeiras. In 2002–03, he joined Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
's C.D. Nacional, and made his Portuguese first division debut on 26 January 2003, in a 0–0 home tie against Vitória de Guimarães.
After two highly successful individual seasons, Assunção was snapped again by Porto, but would be loaned for the 2004–05 season to AEK Athens FC, then managed by former Porto manager Fernando Santos. In July 2005, he returned to Porto, going on to be an instrumental element in the side's midfield (alongside Raul Meireles and Lucho González), as it eventually achieved three consecutive league championships.
In early July 2008, after buying out the remainder of his contract, Assunção joined Atlético Madrid. He adjusted quickly with the capital
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
side, playing in all league
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
matches safe four and helping it repeat the fourth-place finish, with a subsequent UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualification.
Defensive-minded Assunção scored his first goal for the Colchoneros on 17 January 2010, during the side's 3–2 home win against Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
. whilst continuing as the undisputed first-choice at holding midfielder. He lost that position midway through 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, to newly signed Mario Suárez
Mario Suárez Mata
Mario Suárez Mata is a Spanish footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid as a defensive midfielder.-Club career:...
.
Honours
Porto- Portuguese League: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 2005–062005–06 Taça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal 2005-06 was the 66th edition of the Portuguese football knockout tournament. The final was played at Estádio Nacional, Oeiras, between Porto and Vitória F.C., on 14 May 2006.-Quarter-final:-------------Semi-final:----... - Portuguese Supercup: 2005
Atlético Madrid
- UEFA Europa League: 2009–10
- UEFA Super Cup: 20102010 UEFA Super CupThe 2010 UEFA Super Cup was the 35th UEFA Super Cup organised by the European football governing body UEFA. It took place at the Stade Louis II in Monaco on 27 August 2010. It was contested by Internazionale, who won the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League, and Atlético Madrid, who won the 2009–10 UEFA...
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 2009–102009–10 Copa del ReyThe 2009–10 Copa del Rey was the 106th staging of the Copa del Rey. The competition began on August 22, 2009 and concluded on May 19, 2010 with the final held at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, in which Sevilla FC lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history with a 2–0 victory over...