João Paulo Pinto Ribeiro

João Paulo Pinto Ribeiro (born 8 April 1980), known as João Paulo, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a centre-forward.

Over nine seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 140 games and 23 goals for Boavista, Varzim, Beira-Mar, Estoril (two spells), Paços de Ferreira, União de Leiria and Leixões. He also competed professionally in Spain, Romania and Cyprus, mainly at the service of Rapid București.

Club career Having grown through the ranks of Boavista FC, Porto-born João Paulo appeared very little for its first team, being loaned five times for the duration of his contract in both the Primeira Liga and the Segunda Liga of Portuguese football. His debut in the top flight came in the 2001–02 season.

After being released in June 2005, João Paulo had an unassuming stint with Spanish Segunda División club CD Tenerife, then returned to Portugal in January of the following year with F.C. Paços de Ferreira.

João Paulo moved to Romanian club FC Rapid București in January 2008, while Leiria would eventually rank last at the season's end in Portugal.

In June 2010, following Leixões' relegation, João Paulo returned abroad, signing with Olympiakos Nicosia of Cyprus. The following season, the 31-year-old switched to another team in the country, Apollon Limassol FC.

Honours Portugal UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1999