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Paulo RosaBrazilian footballer, better known as Viola
Date of Birth: 01.01.1969
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Corinthians Debut and Injury
- Club Hopping and International Debut
- European Interlude and Return to Brazil
- Title-Winning Stints
Early Life and Career
Paulo Sérgio Rosa, known as Viola, is a legendary Brazilian footballer who rose to prominence in the late 1980s. Born into a humble family in São Paulo, Viola began his footballing journey at the prestigious Corinthians youth academy.
Corinthians Debut and Injury
In 1988, Viola made his debut for Corinthians' first team, replacing the injured Edmar. Notably, in the 1988 Campeonato Paulista final against Guarani, Viola came off the bench to score the winning goal that clinched the title for Corinthians. However, a serious injury in 1989 sidelined Viola for three months, and he struggled to regain his place in the starting lineup.
Club Hopping and International Debut
After loan spells at São José and Olímpia, Viola returned to Corinthians in 1992, where he quickly established himself as a key player. His exceptional performances earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team, and he played a crucial role in Brazil's 1994 World Cup victory, appearing as a substitute in the final against Italy.
European Interlude and Return to Brazil
Following the World Cup triumph, Viola signed with Spanish club Valencia. Despite his success in Brazil, he failed to adapt to European football and returned to his homeland in 1996, joining Palmeiras. After a disappointing season, he moved to Santos, where he rediscovered his goalscoring form, becoming the top scorer in the Brazilian Championship and Copa CONMEBOL.
Title-Winning Stints
Viola continued his success at Vasco da Gama, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Mercosur in 1999. After a brief return to Santos, he secured a lucrative contract with Turkish club Gaziantepspor. In 2004, he returned to Brazil with Guarani, but the club suffered relegation. Viola's final club was Bahia, where he became the highest-paid player but could not prevent them from being relegated to the third division.
