This article is about the Paraguayan footballer. For the Brazilian wrestler, see Giant Silva. For the Brazilian footballer, see Paulo Rodrigues da Silva.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Da Silva and the second or maternal family name is Barrios.
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:54, 18 October 2024 (UTC)
Paulo César da Silva Barrios (born 1 February 1980) is a Paraguayan former professional international footballer who played as a centre-back.
He played top-flight football in Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, England, Italy and Argentina, mostly in Mexico, where in 2015 became a naturalized Mexican citizen.[50]
A player highly regarded, in December 2023, featured in a legends match organized by CONMEBOL.[54]
Club career
Early career
Born in Asunción, Da Silva started his career in the youth divisions of Atlántida Sport Club, arriving at the club at the age of 13.[55] In 1996, da Silva reached the Primera División Paraguaya with Asunción team Presidente Hayes at the age of 16.[56]
Mexico
Before joining Toluca, da Silva played for Perugia and Venezia of Italy, and Lanús of Argentina. He joined Toluca from Paraguayan Club Libertad for the 2003 Apertura. After making his debut, da Silva was a mainstay in Toluca's defence, starting all but one game that he has played and eventually becoming the team's captain due to his leadership on the field. In 2007, he was chosen for the "Ideal Eleven" squad of South America[57] and in 2008 he led Toluca to the Apertura 2008 title, being chosen as the best overall player of the tournament by the Mexican media.[58]
Sunderland
On 13 July 2009, Da Silva joined English club Sunderland on a three-year deal. Manager Steve Bruce said "I'm delighted to have signed a player of Paulo's experience. He is captain of his country and has played at the highest level in South America, so will bring leadership qualities to our side."[59] His arrival at the Stadium of Light was followed by a long and confusing period in regards to his visa application. Da Silva was granted a work permit to play in England almost immediately, but had to wait for over a month to get his visa before it was eventually granted on 12 August.
He made his debut on 24 August against Norwich City in the League Cup second round, playing the whole 90 minutes of a 4–1 away win.[60] On 12 September he made his first Premier League appearance, replacing Steed Malbranque for the final ten minutes of a 4–1 home win over Hull City.[61]
Da Silva was rotated throughout his first season at the club, but performed consistently when required. Manager Steve Bruce cited 'settlement' as the reason behind playing Da Silva in phases, stating he needed time to adjust to the English game and lifestyle. He was joined at the club by his international teammate Cristian Riveros in May 2010. Da Silva's second season at Sunderland saw him make just three appearances, only one as a starter.[62] His last appearance for Sunderland came in their home defeat to Notts County in the FA Cup on 8 January 2011.
Real Zaragoza
Da Silva joined Real Zaragoza from Sunderland on 31 January 2011 for an undisclosed fee, with his new club in 15th in La Liga at the time.[62] They finished the season in 13th.
Toluca
Da Silva re-joined Toluca on 31 May 2013 in a two-year loan deal from Pachuca.[63]
On 11 May 2015, Toluca announced they had signed da Silva permanently.
In December 2015, da Silva received a Mexican naturalization to disoccupy a foreign place in Toluca's team.[64]
Return to Paraguay
On 26 June 2017, Da Silva returned to Paraguay to play for Club Libertad.[65]
In March 2020, da Silva stated that he wanted to retire at Atlántida Asunción.[66]
In December 2021, the 41-year-old da Silva[67] announced that the 2022 season would be his last.[68][69]
He played for Paraguay in 1997 and 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, but missed the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. However, he was named in the 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, featuring in all five of Paraguay's games in their run to the quarter-finals, and provided an assist for Sunderland teammate Cristian Riveros in their 2–0 win against Slovakia in the group stages.
Managerial career
In 2023, at the end of the season, da Silva was linked to becoming assistant manager next to Uruguayan Sergio Órteman[72] and was announced as such for Sol de América, next to Humberto Ovelar,[48] but, in 2024, he again returned to playing for Atlántida Sport Club in 2024 Primera División B, the club he commenced his career, where the 44-year-old da Silva announced it will be his last season playing.[49]
^Paulo da Silva made at least 7 appearances for Paraguay U17; seven appearances in the 1997 South American U-17 Championship, where he scored 1 goal,[43][44] and was part of the ideal team of the tournament,[45][43] and may have matches unaccounted for Paraguay U17, having played for Paraguay U17 since 1994.[46]
^ abPaulo da Silva played in at least 31 matches for Paraguay's Under-X teams, where X is 17, 20 and 23, in which he scored 3 goals.[44][47]
^"Club Sport Colombia". HistoriasCoperas.blogspot.com (in Spanish). 28 February 2021. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
^"Victoria de Atlántida en Areguá" [Win for Atlántida in Areguá]. APF.org.py (in Spanish). APF. 20 September 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
^ ab"CONMEBOL Magazine No. 48"(PDF). SPFCpedia.com.br (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. pp. 60–80 (lineups in pages 70 and 74). Archived(PDF) from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
