Portuguese · Ponta Delgada, Azores · Born 28 April 1973Portuguese striker who became Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer with 47 international goals, renowned for clinical finishing in French football.
Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, known as Pauleta, was born on 28 April 1973 in Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island in Portugal's Azores archipelago. He began his career with local clubs in the islands and had a brief spell in Porto's youth academy before homesickness prompted a return home, eventually turning professional with Micaelense. Pauleta moved to Spain in 1996, joining Salamanca before Deportivo La Coruña signed him in 1998, and it was there he first established himself as one of Europe's most clinical strikers. A move to France's Bordeaux in 2000 saw him become one of Ligue 1's most feared forwards, scoring 20, 22, and 23 league goals across three consecutive seasons and twice being voted the division's best player. Paris Saint-Germain signed Pauleta in 2003, and he became one of the club's greatest-ever strikers, scoring 109 goals across all competitions over five seasons and winning the Coupe de France. Remarkably, despite 18 years as a professional, entirely spent outside Portugal's top flight in Spain and France, he became one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, nicknamed the "Azores Eagle" for a goal celebration mimicking a bird of prey. Pauleta earned dozens of caps for Portugal between 1997 and 2006, becoming the country's all-time leading goalscorer at the time of his retirement, and led Portugal's attack at the 2002 World Cup and the run to the final of Euro 2004 on home soil, later captaining the national team. In 2025, the Azores regional government renamed a street in his hometown of São Roque in his honour.
Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer until surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo
He became Portugal's all-time leading scorer with 47 international goals — a record that stood until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it, and a testament to his decade-long reliability for the national team.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent positioning and aerial ability
Lasting Impact
Legendary Portuguese striker who held the national team scoring record for years
Career Honours
- Ligue 1 1999 (Bordeaux)
- UEFA Cup 2000
- Coupe de France 2004
- Coupe de la Ligue 2008
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beira-Mar | 1993–1995 | — | 55 | #9 |
| Deportivo La Coruña | 1997–1998 | 92 | 37 | #9 |
| PSG | 2003–2008 | 79 | 29 | #9 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 2008–2009 | 65 | 20 | #9 |
| Salamanca | 1995–1997 | 66 | 32 | — |
| Bordeaux | 1998–2003 | 135 | 61 | — |
 Portugal | — | 88 | 47 | — |
Portuguese Athletes