Toluca's top scorer Paulinho expressed his hopes of being called up to the Portuguese national team for the 2026 World Cup, as he gears up for the Liga MX playoffs. The three-time scoring champion has tallied 45 goals with the Red Devils and dreams of partnering with Cristiano Ronaldo up front. His family feels at home in Mexico, fueling his motivation.
Joao Paulo Días Fernandes, known as Paulinho, has shone in Liga MX since arriving at Toluca 515 days ago. In his first semester, he was crowned scoring champion; in the second, bicampeón, and was key in winning the league title for the Red Devils. In the Apertura 2025, he repeated as three-time scoring champion with 37 league goals, totaling 45 with the club, helping Toluca become the league's best offense and finish as overall leaders.
The Portuguese forward is on the radar of Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, who is tracking him. Paulinho dreams of competing in the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, representing his country. "It would be incredible to be playing in Mexico, to play a World Cup for my country in Mexico; I think the stars are aligning, it would be very nice for me, special, also for what Mexico has given me until today," he expressed. He added that Cristiano Ronaldo changed the history of Portuguese football and that this might be the country's best generation of players, though he acknowledges the competition: "There are many good players, but I'm ready for the day they call me".
Before thinking about the World Cup, Paulinho prioritizes the Liga MX playoffs, where Toluca will defend their title as favorites. It doesn't matter if the opponent is Juárez or Pachuca; the Red Devils will aim to make the most of Estadio Nemesio Diez. "I tell my teammates a lot, it's the past and museums live off the past; now what matters is what's coming, keep winning," he said about his three-time championship, thanking his teammates: "I have the joy of having very good teammates, of incredible quality".
Personally, Paulinho feels fulfilled in Toluca. His family enjoys Mexico; his daughter Olivia, already more Mexican than Portuguese, is a Red Devils fan and sings the team's songs. "We enjoy Mexico a lot; in Toluca we feel at home," he affirmed, highlighting his gratitude: "I feel very good, very loved here, and I'm going to keep working and give my best to achieve things".