You know, sometimes a player just catches fire, and right now, Paulinho is burning brighter than a July afternoon. At 32, this Portuguese striker for Toluca is having a season for the ages in Mexico. He started the championship a little slow, only finding the net twice in his first seven league games. But man, has he flipped the script since then!
That slow start is a distant memory. Paulinho has hammered home seven goals in his last four matches. This incredible run means he now leads the league in scoring, boasting nine goals total. Talk about finding your rhythm at the perfect time!
Just recently, he played against León, a team with James RodrÃguez on its roster. Paulinho truly put on a show. He scored another two goals, what we call a “brace,” and helped Toluca grab a big 4-2 win on the road. That victory keeps his team right at the top of the standings with 28 points. After the game, Paulinho had a message for the fans. “Thank you very much for the support,” he said. “It’s incredible. Once again, it feels like we always play at home.” You can feel the emotion in his words.
This win wasn’t just any win. It marked Toluca’s seventh straight victory. Six of those have come in the league. The other, earlier in the week, earned them the Campeones Cup trophy, which pits the Mexican league champions against the MLS winners. Paulinho’s scoring touch isn’t new; he scored 28 goals in 42 games during his first season. This season, he’s already hit 14 goals in just 16 matches across all competitions. It’s clear Paulinho is a player you just can’t take your eyes off.