Paulinho named Best Player as Toluca lift Champions League: “We made history” | OneFootball

Paulinho has become a star in Mexico [Getty Images]

Toluca 1-1 Tigres [7-6 on penalties] 

Portuguese striker Paulinho was named Best Player of the CONCACAF Champions League after Toluca defeated Mexican rivals Tigres to lift the trophy for the third time in their history.

Toluca overcame Tigres on penalties following a 1-1 draw at their home, Estadio Nemesio Díez, which was awarded as the venue due to their superior record in the tournament. Former Braga and Sporting forward Paulinho was the competition’s top goalscorer with eight goals, prompting him to win the individual award for 2026.

Paulinho’s standout moments in this year’s edition of the Champions League came against teams from the United States’ MLS. Entering the competition at the round of 16, Paulinho scored to help Toluca dispatch San Diego, before hitting a remarkable five goals across two legs against LA Galaxy in the quarter finals as Toluca progressed 7-2 on aggregate.

In the semi-finals, Toluca overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Los Angeles FC to hammer the American side 4-0 in the return leg, with Paulinho bagging a brace. The final was goalless across 90 minutes, with Paulinho replaced during extra time ahead of both sides scoring: first Toluca through Jorge Diaz (104’) and then via Joaquim’s equaliser (114’) for Tigres. Penalties were required and Toluca held their nerve to suceed 7-6 in the shootout.

“We made history” 

“I feel very good, it was a team effort,” Paulinho said in the media zone after the match. “The group has made history and we want to continue making history, winning more and more titles. The secret? The group is the secret. My God, we suffered greatly! But we won.

“We thank the fans so much. They always make a difference and they did again today. During today, during yesterday at the hotel. Even the journey to the stadium, it always makes a difference. Thank you so much.”

The trophy is the latest accomplishment in a glorious period for Paulinho since moving to Mexico from Sporting two years ago. The 33-year-old has scored a remarkable 64 goals from 80 matches for Toluca, winning both the Liga MX Clausura and Apertura championships last year.

On an individual level, the prize for Best Player of the Champions League 2026 is an accolade which adds to a growing list, including winning the Golden Boot top goalscorer for both championships last year, winning the Mexican Balón de Oro as well as the Liga MX Best Forward award, while also being named in the Liga MX Best XI three times.

Perhaps Paulinho’s impact at the club is best encapsulated by him being compared by some fans to Toluca’s greatest ever goalscorer, the Paraguayan José Saturnino Cardozo, who scored 249 goals for the club between 1995 and 2005.

“Never compare me to him, please,” Paulinho said with a smile this week. “We’ll all go down in history for winning so many trophies. But don’t compare me to that guy, he’s on a another level..”