The footballer from FCSB, summoned to the national team » He will play 17,000 km from Bucharest!
Article by Romeo Ene – Published Friday, March 20, 2026, 11:54 / Updated Friday, March 20, 2026 12:01
Joao Paulo (27 years old), the FCSB defensive midfielder, has been called up to the Cape Verde national team for the FIFA Series matches against Chile and Finland, scheduled for March 27 and 30, respectively.
They are the last games before the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, where the red-blue footballer would normally be selected.
João Paulowho can also play on the left back position, will go precisely to New Zealand for these preparation games, in Auckland.
Joao Paulo, the football player from FCSB, is going to New Zealand for the friendlies of the Cape Verde national team
The two games will be played at Eden Park in Auckland. At the World Cup, Cape Verde is part of group H, along with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
The red-blue footballer has 38 caps and one goal for the national team.
In February, the Romanian champions transferred him from Oțelul Galați for approximately 600,000 euros.
Joao Paulo made his FCSB debut in the match against FC Botoșani // photo: Cristi Preda
Becali also waived the amount it would have received following Paulo's participation in the World Cup this summer, for which the Cape Verde Islands national team qualified. Thus, the total amount of the business will be approximately one million euros.
At FCSB he played 7 matches, without scoring or providing any decisive assist. It is quoted by the specialized website Transfermarkt at 700,000 euros.
He didn't play very much, but from what he did play, I saw emotional stability, I saw him in control. Others were kicking the ball. He took the ball, he passed, he calmed down the game. I liked him.
– Gigi Becaliin early February, about Joao Paulo's FCSB debut
