Sports institutions lament the death of Paulão, “excellent footballer”

In a statement, the Angolan Federation refers to Paulão as an excellent footballer.

"Paulão was an excellent footballer, having represented the Angolan national team on several occasions and the African team in 1997, as well as defending the colors of big clubs with Interclube do Namibe, 1º de Maio de Benguela, Benfica de Lisboa, Académica of Coimbra, Vitória de Setúbal, ASA and Petro de Luanda", said that federation.

In the note, the organization added that "with this unfortunate event, Angolan sport is brutally and unexpectedly stripped of a man of unassailable character, a dedicated athlete, a shrewd coach and, above all, an exemplary citizen" .

The Angolan Sports Press Association 'AIDA' also lamented the death of Paulão: "As he is such a noble figure that, inside and outside our borders, he has always raised the flag of our country to the highest level, rejoicing Angolans with his deeds, an immeasurable void remains between us and impossible to fill".

"Angolan sport has just lost one of its greatest icons", says the Ministry of Youth, which oversees sport.

According to family members, Paulão, who died at the age of 51, is going to be buried in the Angolan province of Namibe, his birthplace, on a date to be announced.

Paulo Alves 'Paulão' wore the Angolan football team's jersey on 42 occasions, between 1989 and 2001, and several times wore the captain's armband.

At the beginning of his career, Paulão represented the 1º de Maio de Benguela team, making his debut in Portugal for Vitória de Setúbal, in 1994/95.

Two seasons followed at Benfica, before spells at Académica and Sporting de Espinho, returning in 2003 to Angola, where he was also connected to Petro de Luanda and ASA.