Paulo Jorge da Silva dos Santos (born 11 December 1972) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He appeared in 275 Primeira Liga matches over 14 seasons, representing in the competition Benfica, Estrela da Amadora, Alverca, Porto, Varzim, Braga and Rio Ave.

Santos was part of the Portugal squad at the 2006 World Cup.

Club career Born in Odivelas, Lisbon metropolitan area, Santos began his football career at age 11 at Sporting CP, and made his debut in the Primeira Liga in the 1993–94 season, winning the league with capital neighbours S.L. Benfica by playing one minute in the last game.Jogou nos grandes, foi ao Mundial e aposta em marketing de rede (He played for the giants, went to the World Cup and bets on net marketing); Mais Futebol, 11 June 2020 (in Portuguese) After successful stints with C.F. Estrela da Amadora and F.C. Alverca, he went on to represent FC PortoQuiosque: Guarda-redes Paulo Santos assina pelo F.C. Porto (O Jogo) (Newsstand: Goalkeeper Paulo Santos signs for F.C. Porto (O Jogo)); Mais Futebol, 31 May 2001 (in Portuguese) with no significant impact.

Santos joined S.C. Braga in summer 2005 after serving a loan stint with the same team the previous campaign.Sporting de Braga: guarda-redes Paulo Santos ausente pela primeira vez (Sporting de Braga: goalkeeper Paulo Santos absent for the first time); Público, 24 February 2005 (in Portuguese) During that first year – with the Minho side finishing fourth – when Andrés Madrid deflected the ball in for an own goal, he was beaten for the first time in 595 minutes, just 40 short of the record set by Benfica's Manuel Bento;Liga 2005/06: Moretto passa a ser guarda-redes mais tempo em branco (2005/06 League: Moretto is now cleanest goalkeeper); Mais Futebol, 17 December 2005 (in Portuguese) in the only other time he had conceded until that point, Red Star Belgrade claimed the away goal that ended the Portuguese's campaign in the UEFA Cup at the first round for the second year running.Sp. Braga-Estrela Vermelha, 1–1: As falhas do costume... (Sp. Braga-Red Star, 1–1: The usual mistakes...); Record, 30 September 2005 (in Portuguese)

In 2007–08, mainly due to injury problems,Sp. Braga: Paulo Santos de fora da lista para o F.C. Porto (Sp. Braga: Paulo Santos out of squad for F.C. Porto); Mais Futebol, 17 August 2007 (in Portuguese) Santos only appeared in 12 league matches. He was released in December 2008 following a contract dispute,Sp. Braga: rescisão de Paulo Santos nas «mãos» do departamento jurídico (Sp. Braga: termination of Paulo Santos in the "hands" of the juridical department); Mais Futebol, 11 September 2008 (in Portuguese)Paulo Santos liberta-se do Sp. Braga: «Sinto-me um jovem» (Paulo Santos cuts ties with Sp. Braga: "I feel young"); Mais Futebol, 19 December 2008 (in Portuguese) although he had a link running until June 2009.Santos sticking with Braga; UEFA, 20 June 2007

Midway through 2008–09, Santos spent time training with lowly Odivelas F.C. in the third division in order to stay fit. In July he "upgraded" to the second with G.D. Estoril Praia, appearing regularly to help his team to retain their league status.

On 12 July 2010, at nearly 38, Santos moved to top-tier club Rio Ave FC, filling the gap left by the departure of starter Carlos Fernandes, who had moved to Bucaspor in Turkey.Guarda-redes Paulo Santos reforça Rio Ave (Goalkeeper Paulo Santos bolsters Rio Ave); Mais Futebol, 12 July 2010 (in Portuguese) He retired two years later, having been first choice in his debut campaign.Paulo Santos: «A esperança de vida também aumentou» (Paulo Santos: "Life expectancy is also bigger"); Record, 19 November 2010 (in Portuguese)

International career Santos won one cap for the Portugal national team, appearing in a friendly with Northern Ireland on 15 November 2005 (1–1 in Belfast).Paulo Santos gets Portugal call; UEFA, 4 November 2005N Ireland 1–1 Portugal; BBC Sport, 15 November 2005 He was called up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament, as a late replacement for the injured Bruno Vale.Scolari turns to Paulo Santos; UEFA, 28 May 2006

During the group stage game against Guinea for the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship, Santos dropped his shorts to the crowd after being subjected to insults, being immediately suspended from the tournament and later banned by FIFA for one year.Paulo Santos: quando baixar os calções a escoceses custou um ano sem jogar (Paulo Santos: when dropping his shorts on Scots cost one year without playing); Mais Futebol, 4 November 2005 (in Portuguese)

Post-retirement After retiring, Santos worked in the area of food supplements.Paulo Santos, o empresário que passou pela baliza dos três grandes (Paulo Santos, the entrepreneur who had goal spells in the big three); Diário de Notícias, 26 March 2017 (in Portuguese)

Honours Benfica Primeira Liga: 1993–94

Portugal UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 1989

Individual Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2006

Orders Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)

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