Flávio Paixão Explained

Flávio Paixão
Upright:1.3
Fullname:Flávio Emanuel Lopes Paixão[1]
Birth Date:19 September 1984
Birth Place:Sesimbra, Portugal
Height:1.84 m
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:1994–1995
Youthclubs1:Alfarim
Youthyears2:1995–2003
Youthclubs2:Sesimbra
Years1:2003–2005
Years2:2005–2006
Caps2:11
Goals2:1
Years3:2006–2007
Caps3:34
Goals3:10
Years4:2007
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2008–2009
Caps5:53
Goals5:11
Years6:2009–2011
Caps6:55
Goals6:9
Years7:2011–2013
Caps7:61
Goals7:20
Years8:2014–2016
Caps8:71
Goals8:24
Years9:2016–2023
Caps9:239
Goals9:84
Club-Update:21 May 2023

Flávio Emanuel Lopes Paixão (born 19 September 1984) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward.

He never played professionally in his own country, and earned his greatest successes in Poland, scoring 108 Ekstraklasa goals for Śląsk Wrocław and Lechia Gdańsk, all-time best for a foreigner.[2] [3] Additionally, he had spells in Spain, Scotland and Iran.

Club career

Early years

Born in Sesimbra, Setúbal District, Paixão spent his early career in Portugal and Spain, playing with lowly teams in both countries – his hometown's G.D. Sesimbra, FC Porto B,[4] CF Villanovense, Real Jaén and Benidorm CF.

In the 2006–07 season, he scored ten goals for Villanovense but suffered relegation from Segunda División B, the only level in which he competed in Spain.[5]

Hamilton Academical

Paixão's first taste of professional football came on 6 August 2009 as he signed for Scottish Premier League club Hamilton Academical alongside twin brother Marco.[6] He made his league debut nine days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–0 loss away to Kilmarnock.[7]

Paixão was released from his contract with immediate effect on 14 April 2011, alongside his sibling.[8] He appeared in 60 official matches for the Accies, scoring ten goals; his first was in a 2–1 loss at Heart of Midlothian on 26 September 2009.[9]

Tractor

On 2 August 2011, Paixão signed a one-year contract with Tractor S.C. in Iran, for an undisclosed fee.[10] In his first season he netted a club-best ten goals in the Pro League, being voted by Goal.com as best player on the team.[11]

Śląsk Wrocław

Paixão then returned to Europe, joining Polish Ekstraklasa's Śląsk Wrocław at the tail end of the 2013–14 campaign. In his first full season he scored 18 goals, bettered only by Kamil Wilczek from Piast Gliwice;[12] this included a hat-trick on 25 October 2014 in a 4–1 win at Lechia Gdańsk.[13]

Lechia Gdańsk

On 8 February 2016, Paixão moved to Lechia Gdańsk for a fee of £100,000 with two years left on his contract, with Śląsk unhappy with the player's behaviour and accusing him of being disloyal[14] – he reunited with his sibling, who arrived earlier from AC Sparta Prague.[15] [16] He scored a combined 26 goals in his first two and a half seasons, adding ten in all competitions in 2017–18, five of which were against Lechia's main rivals Arka Gdynia in the Tricity Derby.[17]

The 2018–19 campaign proved to be Paixão's best in terms of goalscoring with 15 goals in total, with him being his team's top scorer and the fifth highest in the league as they finished in third position.[18] He broke a long-standing Lechia record of scoring the most goals for the team in the Polish top division, surpassing previous holder Bogdan Adamczyk on 25 November 2018 after finding the net against Jagiellonia Białystok.[19] He also won the Polish Cup, assisting the only goal of the final on 2 May against Jagiellonia for Artur Sobiech in added time, having earlier had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside.[20]

At the start of 2019–20, Paixão started in the Polish Super Cup, helping his side win the match 3–1 after defeating Piast.[21] [22] He scored in both legs of the second qualifying round in the UEFA Europa League against Brøndby IF (5–3 aggregate loss),[23] [24] and as a result became the first club player to achieve the feat more than once in European competition.[25]

On 23 April 2022, Paixão scored his 99th and 100th goals in the Polish top tier in a 2–0 win against Warta Poznań, becoming the 34th player in the league's history to achieve this feat and the first foreigner to do so.[26] His second was also Lechia's 1000th in the history of the competition.[27]

On 4 May 2023, it was announced Paixão would leave the club at the end of the season which saw Lechia compete in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa Conference League but also struggle domestically, resulting in relegation to I liga.[28] He made his final appearance on 20 May 2023 in a 1–0 victory over Legia Warsaw, and was replaced in extra time of the first half to a guard of honour from both teams.[29]

International career

During their spell in Poland, both Paixão and his sibling were repeatedly poised to be called up to the Portugal national team, but nothing came of it.[30]

Personal life

Paixão's twin brother Marco was also a footballer, Flávio being the younger by five minutes.[31]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Porto B2005–06Segunda Divisão111111
Villanovense2006–07[32] Segunda División B34103410
Jaén2007–08Segunda División B801090
Benidorm2007–08Segunda División B1950020215
2008–09Segunda División B34642388
Total531142205913
Hamilton Academical2009–10Scottish Premier League2562010286
2010–11Scottish Premier League3031110324
Total55931206010
Tractor2011–12[33] Iran Pro League3010003010
2012–13Iran Pro League311000613711
Total612000616721
Śląsk Wrocław2013–14Ekstraklasa13100131
2014–15Ekstraklasa3718414119
2015–16Ekstraklasa2154140296
Total712482408326
Lechia Gdańsk2015–16Ekstraklasa166166
2016–17Ekstraklasa3310213511
2017–18Ekstraklasa3410103510
2018–19Ekstraklasa3715604315
2019–20Ekstraklasa31146522104021
2020–21Ekstraklasa3012303312
2021–22Ekstraklasa3210103310
2022–23Ekstraklasa26710433110
Total23984206651026695
Career total53215936112016630589176

Honours

Lechia Gdańsk

2018–19[20]

2019[21]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flávio Paixão. Mais Futebol. pt. 28 July 2020.
  2. Web site: Fez história e agora pensa em parar (mas depois lembra-se de Joaquín). He made history and is now thinking of stopping (but then he remembers Joaquín). Mais Futebol. Berta. Rodrigues. pt. 30 April 2022. 12 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Ekstraklasa piłkarska – 108. gol Flavio Paixao (dokumentacja). Ekstraklasa football – Flávio Paixão's 108th goal (documentation). Radio Opole. pl. 10 March 2023. 12 June 2023.
  4. News: Somos ambiciosos. We're ambitious. Correio da Manhã. pt. 22 June 2005. 22 January 2019.
  5. News: El Villanovense, con un pie en Tercera. Villanovense, all but in Tercera. Hoy. Santiago. Medina Morcillo. es. 2 April 2007. 22 January 2019.
  6. Web site: Hamilton sign up Portuguese twins. BBC Sport. 6 August 2009. 15 August 2009.
  7. Web site: Kilmarnock 3–0 Hamilton. BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. 15 August 2009.
  8. Web site: Paixao twins released by Hamilton Accies. BBC Sport. 14 April 2011. 14 April 2011.
  9. Web site: Hearts 2–1 Hamilton. BBC Sport. 26 September 2009. 20 January 2022.
  10. Web site: Traktorsazi signs Flavio Paixao. Persian League. 2 August 2011. 24 November 2012.
  11. Web site: http://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/2012/05/14/3102717/%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%BE%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%AF. fa:فلاویو لوپز بهترین بازیکن فصل تراکتورسازی انتخاب شد. Goal. fa. 14 May 2012. 24 November 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120621224340/http://www.goal.com/iran/news/1825/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/2012/05/14/3102717/%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%BE%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%AF. 21 June 2012.
  12. Web site: Kamil Wilczek z 20 bramkami został królem strzelców Ekstraklasy w sezonie 2014/2015. Kamil Wilczek with 20 goals became the Ekstraklasa top scorer in 2014/2015. Gol 24. pl. 7 June 2015. 24 September 2019.
  13. Web site: VÍDEO: Flávio Paixão faz quatro golos e lidera goleadores na Polónia. VIDEO: Flávio Paixão scores four goals and leads goalscorers in Poland. Lux. pt. 25 October 2014. 24 September 2019.
  14. Web site: Flavio Paixao w Lechii już na wiosnę [AKTUALIZACJA]]. Flávio Paixão to Lechia in spring [UPDATE]. Sport.pl. Tomasz. Osowski. pl. 8 February 2016. 5 October 2019.
  15. Web site: O reencontro dos irmãos Paixão: Flávio ruma ao Lechia Gdansk. The reunion of the Paixão brothers: Flávio moves to Lechia Gdańsk. TVI 24. pt. 8 February 2016. 24 September 2019.
  16. News: Marco Paixao przechodzi w Lechii Gdańsk. Marco Paixão cleared at Lechia Gdańsk. Przegląd Sportowy. pl. 9 January 2016. 5 October 2019.
  17. News: Flavio Paixao goni Bogdana Adamczyka. 50 goli w ekstraklasie, 26 dla Lechii. Flávio Paixão chases Bogdan Adamczyk. 50 goals in the first league, 26 for Lechia. Gazeta Wyborcza. Tomasz. Galiński. pl. 25 May 2018. 5 October 2019.
  18. Web site: Pieczęć króla strzelców . Seal of the top king. Piłka Nożna. pl. 19 May 2019. 24 September 2019.
  19. News: Flavio Paixao w życiowej formie. Ściga się z bratem, który po opuszczeniu Lechii też strzela gola za golem [WIDEO]]. Flávio Paixão in the form of his life. He is racing with his brother who after leaving Lechia also scores goal after goal [VIDEO]. Gazeta Wyborcza. Tomasz. Osowski. pl. 25 November 2018. 5 October 2019.
  20. Web site: VÍDEO: Flávio Paixão vê golo anulado mas vence Taça da Polónia. VIDEO: Flávio Paixão sees goal disallowed but wins Polish Cup. Mais Futebol. pt. 2 May 2019. 24 September 2019.
  21. Web site: Kulisy zdobycia Superpucharu Polski! [WIDEO]]. Polish Supercup win backstage! [VIDEO]. Lechia Gdańsk. pl. 13 July 2019. 5 October 2019. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20191003205804/http://lechia.pl/aktualnosci/kulisy-zdobycia-superpucharu-polski-wideo-15879. 3 October 2019.
  22. Web site: Superpuchar Polski 2019: Piast Gliwice – Lechia Gdańsk 1:3. Polish Supercup 2019: Piast Gliwice – Lechia Gdańsk 1:3. Sport.pl. Jacek. Główczyński. Rafał. Sumowski. pl. 13 July 2019. 5 October 2019.
  23. Web site: Lechia Gdansk 2–1 Brondby. Sky Sports. 25 July 2019. 5 October 2019.
  24. Web site: Highlights fra sejren over Lechia Gdansk. Highlights from the victory over Lechia Gdansk. Brøndby IF. da. 2 August 2019. 5 October 2019.
  25. Web site: Legia nie przegrywa, Piast i Lechia odpadają. Legia do not lose, Piast and Lechia are out. Ranking UEFA. pl. 2 August 2019. 17 December 2019.
  26. Web site: Flávio Paixão w "Klubie 100". Flávio Paixão joins "Club 100". 90 Minut. pl. 23 April 2022. 23 April 2022.
  27. Web site: Historyczny wieczór w Gdańsku!. Historic evening in Gdańsk!. Lechia Gdańsk. pl. 23 April 2022. 23 April 2022.
  28. Web site: Flávio Paixão odejdzie z Lechii. Flávio Paixão will leave Lechia. 90 Minut. pl. 4 May 2023. 21 May 2023.
  29. Web site: Na pożegnanie Flávio Lechia zwyciężyła z Legią RELACJA. Lechia beat Legia in Flávio's goodbye REPORT. Lechia Gdańsk. pl. 20 May 2023. 21 May 2023.
  30. Web site: "Manos" Paixão fora da Selecção é tema de debate na Polónia. Paixão "Bros" out of national team debate material in Poland. Rádio Renascença. José Pedro. Pinto. pt. 26 September 2016. 16 December 2019.
  31. Web site: Reid gets brothers on board. ClubCall. 7 August 2009. 17 August 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090828053948/http://www.clubcall.com/hamilton-academical/reid-gets-brothers-board-928927.html. 28 August 2009.
  32. Web site: Paixao: Flavio Emanuel Lopes Paixao. BDFutbol. 16 February 2015.
  33. Web site: Flávio Paixão. Soccerway. 16 February 2015.
  34. Web site: Totolotek Puchar Polski 2019/2020 – strzelcy. Totolotek Polish Cup 2019/2020 – scorers. 90 Minut. Paweł. Mogielnicki. pl. 24 February 2024.
  35. Web site: Flavio Paixao piłkarzem miesiąca w ekstraklasie!. Flávio Paixão is the Ekstraklasa player of the month!. Śląsk Wrocław. Mateusz. Kondrat. pl. 31 October 2014. 8 May 2024.
  36. Web site: Błaszczykowski doceniony. Został piłkarzem miesiąca. Błaszczykowski said thanks. He was voted player of the month. TVP Sport. pl. 10 April 2019. 8 May 2024.