Paula Pauleta

Midfielder • Age 29 • #21

Paula Domínguez Encinas, known as Pauleta, is a Portuguese-Spanish footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. She has represented Spain at youth level and Portugal at senior international level.

Photo: IMAGO | NurPhoto

Fun Facts about Paula

Discover more than stats. Get more of who she is.

She has a degree in Chemistry. Pauleta completed her university studies while continuing her football career, studying in Vigo, Braga and Lisbon.

Her older brother inspired her to play football. She initially went to watch his training sessions before joining in herself. Although he eventually stopped playing, she continued.

Her nickname dates back to childhood. She was given the name Pauleta when she started playing football at around eight years old. It developed from Paula and Paulita, not from Portuguese legend Pedro Pauleta.

She is proudly Galician and speaks both Galician and Portuguese. Her native language helped her adapt to life in Portugal, thanks to the similarities between the two languages.

She loves exploring Portugal by car. Away from football, she enjoys road trips and recommends places such as Sintra, Ericeira and the Monsanto park in Lisbon.