Paulo da Silva
Paulo César da Silva Barrios (born 1 February 1980) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays for Independiente in Paraguay, as a centre-back. He has previously played top-flight football in Paraguay, Italy, Argentina, England and Spain. He played for the Paraguay national team from 2000 to 2017, and is their most-capped player of all time, earning over 100 caps. He played at two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments, helping his country finish as runners-up in the 2011 Copa América. In 2015, da Silva became a naturalized Mexican citizen. 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. In 1996, da Silva reached the Primera División Paraguaya with Asunción team Presidente Hayes at the age of 16. 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.