Toluca is chasing a spot in the elite circle of back-to-back champions in Mexican soccer—a milestone that Portuguese striker Paulinho believes would cement his place in Liga MX history alongside legends like André-Pierre Gignac and Toluca icon José Saturnino Cardozo.
Foreign players who became legends in Mexico
Speaking during media day ahead of the Apertura 2025 Final’s first leg, Paulinho made it clear he’s not just excited about facing Tigres—he’s determined to leave a lasting mark on Mexican soccer.
“Gignac has built an incredible legacy in Mexico. After Cardozo, he’s the most successful foreign player here. I want to make history like him. We’re feeling good and excited for Thursday and Sunday,” Paulinho said, referencing the upcoming matches scheduled for Thursday and Sunday night.
Trophies more important than goals
Paulinho already knows what it feels like to lift a trophy—he won last season’s championship at América’s expense. But he admits that scoring goals alone won’t be enough to be remembered like Gignac or Cardozo. Winning titles, he says, is what truly defines greatness.
“To be on their level, you have to win a lot of championships. They’ve done so much for Mexican soccer. I haven’t yet. As long as I feel good and the club wants me here, I’ll stay motivated. Right now, I just want to win—whether I stay or not isn’t the issue,” he explained.
Paulinho has already proven himself as a scoring machine, earning multiple Golden Boot awards. In this Apertura 2025 season, he added another to his résumé, sharing the honor with Armando González and Joao Pedro.