Emotional ex-Tottenham ace Paulinho reveals end to injury hell is his ‘biggest trophy’ | OneFootball

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n end to nine months of injury hell is the biggest trophy Paulinho has ever won, the former Tottenham man has revealed.

The Brazilian midfielder, 34, was a cult hero during two years in north London before he went on to win titles with, among others, Barcelona.

Now back at old side Corinthians, Paulinho suffered a serious knee injury in May of last year and, on Sunday night, finally made his return to the starting line-up as he scored in the Campeonato Paulista defeat to Ituano.

The emotion was clear to see as he netted a header to level the scores in the first half, his teammates rushing to embrace him.

Speaking ahead of the game, Paulinho revealed he feared his career was over during a long recovery process that ultimately proved successful despite his advancing years.

“The biggest title I’ve won in my life is my return to football,” he told Globo.

The moment followed a goal off the bench against Santo Andre as the veteran midfielder ripped his shirt off in celebration.

“Felt pain so much pain I thought of giving up,” he posted on social media.

“But the emotion I felt yesterday showed that I had to believe. That's what I have to pass on to everyone. Believe in yourself, in what you do and who you are. The work continues and I’ll keep believing.”