Paulo André Cren Benini (born 20 August 1983) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
He is currently married to the former Brazilian professional tennis player, two time WTA tournaments champion and former world 43,Teliana Pereira, with whom he has a son named Matteo.
Career Paulo André Cren Benini began his football career playing for the São Paulo youth team, however he was unable to impress the coaching staff and was dismissed by the club. He would go to the youth teams of CSA, Águas de Lindóia as well as having a trial with Scottish club Rangers F.C. in 2002, under manager Alex McLeish before he joined Série A club Guarani who promoted him to their senior side.Paulo André - ex-jogador do Corinthians at meutimao.com.br Retrieved 3 March 2014 While Paulo André would go on to establish himself within the club he was unfortunately part of the squad that was relegated at the end of the 2004 league campaign. Despite this disappointment Paulo André had impressed Atlético Paranaense who gave him another chance at the top tier when they signed him before the start of the 2005 league campaign.
In his debut season for Atlético Paranaense Paulo André would soon establish himself a vital member of the team's defense and helped guide the club to qualify for the 2006 Copa Sudamericana. After having a personally successful debut season he would spark foreign interests and French Ligue 1 club Le Mans signed Paulo André in June 2006 on a four and half years deal.Paulo André Cren Benini at globoesporte.com Retrieved 3 March 2014 This would see Paulo André make his league debut for Le Mans on 19 August 2006 against Valenciennes FC in a 3–2 victory, however after only three further games Paulo André was struck with a patellar tendon injury in his right knee.Le Mans vs. Valenciennes 3-2 at uk.soccerway.com 19 August 2006 Retrieved 3 March 2014 The injury would require three surgeries and Paulo André missing the whole of the 2007–08 Ligue 1 campaign. On his return within the 2008–09 Ligue 1 campaign he was able to play in 31 games throughout the season until on 4 August 2009 Brazilian club Sport Club Corinthians Paulista signed Paulo André from Le Mans on a single season loan.Paulo André muito além dos gramados at revistaemdia.com.br 24 October 2012 Retrieved 3 March 2014
The following season Corinthians would make Paulo André a permanent member of the squad and while he was initially used as a squad player by the 2011 league campaign he would start to establish himself within the starting eleven and went on to win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A championship with the club.2011 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A at soccerway.com Retrieved 3 March 2014 This would then be followed by the club winning the 2012 Copa Libertadores and 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
On 12 February 2014, Corinthians officially confirmed Paulo André's departure to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.Paulo André se despede do Corinthians: "Foram 5 anos que mudaram a minha vida" at corinthians.com.br 12/02/2014 Retrieved 3 March 2014
On 10 February 2015, after a year playing in China, Paulo André joined Cruzeiro.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGuarani2004Série A1305260——2422005Série B9218141——314Total222233101——556Atlético Paranaense2005Série A282————2822006Série A901652100—276Total3721652100—558Le Mans2006–07Ligue 151———10612007–08Ligue 100————002008–09Ligue 1311—10—11332Total362—10—21393Corinthians2009Série A120————1202010Série A15291—10—2532011Série A16011—00—1712012Série A29210—00203222013Série A2811513080205622014Série A00600000—60Total10053233090401488Shanghai Shenhua2014Chinese Super League230—00——230Cruzeiro2015Série A170702050—310Athletico Paranaense2016Série A26214040—504922017Série A2106010120—4002018Série A111006160—2322019Série A00200000—20Total583220111180501144Career total293141001129332011146529
Honours Corinthians Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2011 Copa Libertadores: 2012 FIFA Club World Cup: 2012 Campeonato Paulista: 2013 Recopa Sudamericana: 2013
Athletico Paranaense Campeonato Paranaense: 2016, 2019 Copa Sudamericana: 2018
Individual Bola de Prata: 2011
References
External links