Vietnam’s HAGL Pay Tribute to Departed Brazilian-Portuguese Striker with Farewell Ceremony

The event was held with the authorization of Paollo’s family and his fiancé in a solemn and heartfelt atmosphere, featuring prayers for the late footballer who dedicated a significant part of his career to HAGL, a prominent team in Vietnam’s top-tier V-League 1.

Despite a significant number of people already coming to pay their respects to the late striker over the previous three days, a considerable crowd gathered to bid him farewell until Tuesday evening.

At around 8:00 pm, all attendees of the memorial ceremony held a candle and a flower while offering their prayers for Paollo.

Paollo, aged 27, along with two other members of HAGL FC — assistant coach Duong Minh Ninh and healthcare specialist Dao Trong Tri — were tragically killed in a car accident involving one four-seater car and two large trucks in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province on Saturday afternoon, following the club’s final game of the season at Vinh Stadium against Song Lam Nghe An.

Paollo was born in 1996 and held dual Brazilian and Portuguese citizenship.

He began his professional career in Portugal, playing for Raca Vermelha Imortal in 2015 and SC Farense in Portugal’s top division, but was often loaned out to other teams.

In 2022, he made the decision to leave Portugal and join Hong Linh Ha Tinh, another V-League 1 club, before eventually moving to HAGL for the current season.

The striker played 23 matches and scored eight goals for Hong Linh Ha Tinh, and continued his impressive performance with six goals in 17 games at HAGL, making him the top scorer for the club, as reported by news site VnExpress.

During Tuesday evening’s ceremony, Nguyen Tuan Anh, CEO of HAGL FC, remarked, “Before we part ways, let us remember Paollo, a beloved, charming, and gentle person in his daily life, but an exceptional goal-scorer on the field.”

Nguyen Tuan Anh continued, “From Brazil to Hong Linh Ha Tinh, and eventually to our Hoang Anh Gia Lai during the recent 2022-23 season, he showcased a dynamic style of play filled with passion and a hint of samba-like artistry.

“Wearing the Hoang Anh Gia Lai jersey, he managed to score crucial goals for the team.

“As the final whistle echoed through Vinh Stadium and the entire team dispersed, it marked a moment that forced us to confront the club’s sorrowful chapter — the loss of three key members, including the remarkable striker, Paollo Madeira Oliveira.”

HAGL has successfully completed the necessary procedures to repatriate Paollo’s remains to Portugal, where his family resides. The club will cover all the associated costs.

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