João Paulo
João Paulo is a Brazilian former footballer known for his role as a striker.
He began his professional career at Guarani Futebol Clube in 1983 before moving to Italy to play for SSC Bari in 1989.
At Bari, he scored 12 goals in the 1990-1991 season, including a memorable double against A.C. Milan.
Biography
Early Life
Sérgio Luís Donizetti, widely known as João Paulo, was born in Brazil in 1964. He emerged as a talented footballer, showcasing his skills primarily as a striker. His early passion for the sport set the stage for a dynamic career that would see him play for numerous clubs both in Brazil and abroad.
Career
João Paulo's professional career began at Guarani Futebol Clube in 1983, where he played until 1989. He then made a significant move to Italy, joining SSC Bari, where he formed a formidable striking partnership and made a notable impact in Serie A. His most memorable moment came during the 1990-1991 season when he scored a double against A.C. Milan, inadvertently helping Sampdoria secure their first Serie A title. Unfortunately, his promising career faced a setback when he suffered a severe leg injury that sidelined him for an entire year.
After returning to Brazil, João Paulo played for several clubs, including S.C. Corinthians Paulista, União São João E.C., and Clube Atlético Taquaritinga, among others. He also had a brief stint with the Brazil national team, where he scored twice in the 1991 Copa América and represented his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Legacy
Throughout his career, João Paulo earned several honors, including a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics and a runner-up finish in the Copa América in 1991. His contributions to football, both in Brazil and internationally, have left a lasting legacy, showcasing his talent and resilience in the face of adversity.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Bari
João Paulo joined Italian club Bari in 1989, and formed a formidable striking partnership with Pietro Maiellaro and later with Romanian Florin Raducioiu. After scoring six goals in 33 Serie A matches in the 1989–90 season, he would score 12 times in the 1990–1991 season, the most memorable of which was a double against A.C. Milan on the penultimate round of the season, thus sealing the title for another club, Sampdoria, which won its first ever (and so far the only) Serie A title in that club's history. He started the following season brightly and was on his usually excellent form. But in their third match at home to Sampdoria, in torrential rain, his leg was broken by defender Marco Lanna in a tackle along the sidelines which ended his season. It took him an entire year to recover and he stayed on with Bari after its relegation to Serie B for two more seasons until 1994.
João Paulo also played for the Brazil national team, scoring twice (one goal apiece against Uruguay, and in the notorious match against Argentina) in the Copa América in 1991. He also competed for Brazil at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Born in Francisco Beltrão, Paraná, João Paulo graduated from São Caetano's youth setup. A versatile two-footed central midfielder, he signed with the Japanese club Albirex Niigata in August 2010. After an unsuccessful stint in Japan, João Paulo returned to Brazil and signed for Ponte Preta in March 2011. After appearing regularly for Macaca he moved to Atlético Paranaense on 6 July 2012.
- Club
- Mito HollyHock (2000–2000)
- Club
- S.C. Corinthians Paulista (1996–1998)
- Club
- Clube Atlético Taquaritinga (2004–2004)
- Club
- União São João E.C. (1999–2003)
- Club
- CR Vasco da Gama (1994–1994)
- Club
- Associação Atlética Internacional (2004–2004)
- Club
- SSC Bari (1989–1994)
- Club
- Goiás Esporte Clube (1995–1995)
- Club
- Guarani Futebol Clube (1983–1989)
- Club
- Esporte Clube Bahia (1997–1997)
- Club
- Centro Sportivo Alagoano (2001–2001)
- Club
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta (1995–1995)
- Club
- Goiânia Esporte Clube
- Club
- Brazil men's national football team (1987–1991)
- Club
- Sport Club do Recife (1996–1996)
- Club
- Associação Atlética Portuguesa (1997–1998)
- Club
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta (1998–1998)
- Club
- E.C. Vitória (1998–1998)
- Club
- Paulista Futebol Clube (1999–1999)
- Club
- Guarani Futebol Clube (2002–2002)
- National team
- Brazil
- Club
- Avaí Futebol Clube (2009–2009)
- Club
- Coritiba F.C. (2015–)
- Club
- Associação Desportiva São Caetano (2005–2005)
- Club
- São José Esporte Clube (2006–2006)
- Club
- Londrina E.C. (2007–2007)
- Club
- União Agrícola Barbarense Futebol Clube (2008–2008)
- Club
- América Futebol Clube (2008–2008)
- Club
- Iraty Sport Club (2009–2009)
- Club
- Albirex Niigata (2010–2011)
- Club
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta (2011–2012)
- Club
- Paraná Clube (2009–2009)
- Club
- Paraná Clube (2010–2010)
- Club
- Club Athletico Paranaense (2012–2014)
- National team
- Brazil
Legacy
Honnors
Bari Mitropa Cup: 1989-90 Guarani Campeonato Brasileiro Série A runner-up: 1986 Campeonato Paulista runner-up: 1988 Brazil Pan American Games: 1987 Summer Olympics silver medal: 1988 Copa América runner-up : 1991
Clubs
- Coritiba F.C.2015current
- Goiânia Esporte Clubecurrent
- Guarani Futebol Clube1983–1989
- Brazil men's national football team1987–1991
- SSC Bari1989–1994
- CR Vasco da Gama1994–1994
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta1995–1995
- Goiás Esporte Clube1995–1995
- S.C. Corinthians Paulista1996–1998
- Sport Club do Recife1996–1996
- Associação Atlética Portuguesa1997–1998
- Esporte Clube Bahia1997–1997
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta1998–1998
- E.C. Vitória1998–1998
- Paulista Futebol Clube1999–1999
- União São João E.C.1999–2003
- Mito HollyHock2000–2000
- Centro Sportivo Alagoano2001–2001
- Guarani Futebol Clube2002–2002
- Associação Atlética Internacional2004–2004
- Clube Atlético Taquaritinga2004–2004
- Associação Desportiva São Caetano2005–2005
- São José Esporte Clube2006–2006
- Londrina E.C.2007–2007
- América Futebol Clube2008–2008
- União Agrícola Barbarense Futebol Clube2008–2008
- Avaí Futebol Clube2009–2009
- Iraty Sport Club2009–2009
- Paraná Clube2009–2009
- Albirex Niigata2010–2011
- Paraná Clube2010–2010
- Associação Atlética Ponte Preta2011–2012
- Club Athletico Paranaense2012–2014
Played together with
Abdelkader GhezzalSSC Bari · 2010–2013
Abel BragaBrazil men's national football team · 1978–1978- Abel BragaCR Vasco da Gama · 1976–1979
- Abel XavierSSC Bari · 1995–1996
- Abner Felipe Souza de AlmeidaCoritiba F.C. · 2013–2014
Abner ViníciusAssociação Atlética Ponte Preta- Abner ViníciusClub Athletico Paranaense
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsPaulista Futebol Clube · 2002–2002
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsPaulista Futebol Clube · 2004–2006
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsPaulista Futebol Clube · 2009–2009
Achille PicciniSSC Bari · 1940–1941- Acleisson ScaionAvaí Futebol Clube · 2011–2011
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Sérgio Luís Donizetti, best known as João Paulo, is a Brazilian former association footballer, who played as a striker.
João Paulo da Silva, known as João Paulo is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Ypiranga as a defensive midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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