Paulo César Fonseca do Nascimento (born 13 January 1978), known as Tinga, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
After making a name for himself at Grêmio, he went on to play professionally in, other than his country, Japan, Portugal and Germany, representing Borussia Dortmund in the latter nation.
Club career Born in Porto Alegre, Tinga started playing professionally with local Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, receiving his nickname from the name of the Restinga quarter where he grew up. In 1999 he was loaned to J2 League club Kawasaki Frontale, moving to Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas in the following year, also on loan.Tinga und Nomadenleben eines Profifußballers (Tinga and the nomad life of a professional footballer); Der Westen, 7 May 2010 (in German)
In January 2004, following a wages dispute, Tinga left Grêmio and signed with Sporting Clube de Portugal, for the rest of that season and two more.Tinga targets Sporting success; UEFA.com, 19 January 2004 However, he would only serve as third-choice in the Portuguese capital side, although he scored in a 2–0 home win against SK Rapid Wien in the club's runner-up run in the UEFA Cup.
Tinga returned to Brazil in December 2004, being sold to Sport Club InternacionalPortuguese pair keeping busy; UEFA.com, 22 December 2004 and being instrumental in the team's Copa Libertadores success in 2006 as he scored against São Paulo FC in a 4–3 aggregate win. Following these displays, he signed a three-year contract with Borussia Dortmund in Germany for R$8 million.Dortmund bring in Tinga; UEFA.com, 17 August 2006 On 26 August he assisted and was booked in his first game, a 3–1 win at VfB Stuttgart,Kringe und Frei treffen beim VfB (Kringe and Frei score at VfB); kicker, 26 August 2006 (in German) going on to only miss four Bundesliga matches combined in his first two campaigns and adding eight goals.
On 1 April 2010, after not having his contract with Borussia renewed, the 31-year-old Tinga left the club.BVB: Vertrag von Tinga wird nicht verlängert (BVB: Tinga's contract will not be extended); Bild, 1 April 2010 (in German) He re-joined former club Internacional the following month and, on 17 May 2012, moved to Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.
On 30 April 2015, Tinga announced his retirement after his Cruzeiro contract ended.Tinga se aposenta e exalta a carreira: "Consegui ser maior do que esperava" (Tinga retires and praises career: "I managed to be bigger than I expected"); Globo Esporte, 30 April 2015 (in Portuguese)
International career Tinga made his debut with Brazil in 2001. After a five-year absence he was recalled to the national team by newly appointed manager Dunga, for a friendly against Switzerland, earning his third cap on 15 November 2006.
Racism issue On 12 February 2014, after a 2–1 loss against Real Garcilaso for the Libertadores Cup, Tinga suffered racist abuse from the home fans, who made monkey noises whenever he touched the ball. He subsequently spoke with sadness of the events, that took place in a "neighbouring country" and "still occurred in 2014".Alvo de racismo no Peru, Tinga afirma: "Trocaria todos meus títulos por igualdade" (Racism target in Peru, Tinga claims: "I would trade all my titles for equality"); Super Esportes, 13 February 2014 (in Portuguese)
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueDivisionAppsGoalsGrêmio1996Série A0019971011998140Total241Kawasaki Frontale1999J2 League248Botafogo2000Série A171Grêmio2001Série A11220022222003322Total656Sporting2003–04Primeira Liga1102004–0590Total200Internacional2005Série A355200671Total426Borussia Dortmund2006–07Bundesliga3142007–083342008–092712009–1070Total989Career total29031
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBrazil200120200200200300200400200500200610200710Total40
Honours Club Internacional Copa Libertadores: 2006, 2010 Campeonato Gaúcho: 2011, 2012 Recopa Sudamericana: 2011
Cruzeiro Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2013, 2014 Campeonato Mineiro: 2014
Individual Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2005
References
External links