Fabio Paim was once considered a child prodigy, better than Cristiano Ronaldo – and Cristiano Ronaldo himself said so. But Paim got on the wrong track and threw away his promising career.
Now he just watches football: Fabio Paim (Wed.). imago/GlobalImagens
“If you think I’m good, wait until you see Fabio Paim,” Cristiano Ronaldo said in 2003 when he signed for Manchester United, admitting: “He’s better than me.” And yet the lives of the two footballers developed completely differently. While CR7 was racking up titles and individual accolades galore, Paim, who was three years his junior, not only fell into obscurity, but also went completely wrong.
Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paim was trained at Sporting Lisbon’s academy and attracted the attention of major European clubs early on. He was also briefly under contract with Chelsea FC, but he didn’t feel at home in London any more than he did with numerous other clubs – there were 19 in total, rarely high-class, but spread around the world. His CV includes clubs from China, Angola, Lithuania, Qatar, Malta and Brazil, among others.
I don’t think there is a player with my qualities today either.
Paim is still convinced of his talent. “I was special, I know I should be more modest, but it was like that. Back then there was no Instagram or Facebook like today, so nothing was recorded. I don’t think there is a player with my qualities even today. Cristiano is got to the level he is at thanks to his commitment and hard work. If I had shown the same commitment, I would be better than him. Technically I was better. I was a little Ronaldinho, but as you can see, it’s not the one Technology that moves you forward.”
Succumb to the temptations
In fact, despite his undisputed talent, Paim, who played for all of Portugal’s junior national teams, made little mention of himself in sports – he succumbed to the temptation of quick money, which he had in abundance at a young age and which he spent generously. “I was overwhelmed by all the money and fame,” Paim told the English “Sun” and revealed that he had squandered his fortune on “cars, women, alcohol and parties.” “I had the illusion that I didn’t have to make any effort.”
My mind was occupied with women and parties – anything but football.
Today he knows that he took a wrong turn. “I regret some of my decisions. I’ve gotten older and can look at things differently. The talent was there, but my mind wasn’t. My head was preoccupied with women and parties – anything other than football. My body wasn’t in the mood “I was in the best shape and I didn’t listen to people. If I had done that, I would have ended up in Barcelona or Madrid.”
He couldn’t get his life under control, he kept having trouble with the judiciary – then in 2019 the really deep fall. In Estoril he was caught with cocaine. That landed him in prison for a year – and it was a special prison sentence because his prison was not far from the headquarters of the Portuguese football association Cidade do Futebol. “I was able to watch our team every day training for the EURO 2020 qualifiers,” Paim recalled, admitting that it never occurred to him “that I would be able to play there on the pitch.”
However, prison was a lesson for him, said the 35-year-old. “It was really hard and difficult for me and my family. I don’t want pity, it was my decision and my mistake,” said Paim, revealing that he is now happier than he once was. “When I had fame, money and parties, I thought it was happiness. But I didn’t know what happiness was. Now I do – and I’m happier with less.”
2023-10-19 22:40:40
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