Paulo Soares (journalist)

Paulo Soares
Born
Paulo Soares

(1962-09-13)13 September 1962
São Paulo, Brazil
Died29 September 2025(2025-09-29) (aged 63)
São Paulo, Brazil
Other namesAmigão, Amigão da Galera
Occupations
  • Journalist
  • Television presenter
  • Sports broadcaster
Years active1978–2025
Known forPresenting SportsCenter on ESPN Brasil
SpouseMarlene

Paulo Soares (September 13, 1962 – September 29, 2025), also known as Amigão da Galera or simply Amigão, was a Brazilian television presenter and sports announcer.[1][2][3] He worked for ESPN Brasil,[4][5] where he became well known for presenting the Brazilian version of the sports program SportsCenter alongside journalist Antero Greco.[6][7][8]

The nickname Amigão da Galera (Everyone's Friend) came about in 1990, coined by his colleague and reporter Osvaldo Pascoal, then at Rádio Record.[4][9]

Biography

Born in São Paulo, Paulo Soares began his career at age 15, in 1978, at Rádio Clube de Araras, in Araras, city in the interior of São Paulo.[10] From there, he moved on to several other radio stations in Brazil until arriving, in 1983, at Rádio Gazeta, in the state capital.[11] Rádio Record, Gazeta again, Rádio Globo, Rádio Bandeirantes São Paulo, and Rádio Estadão followed, in a long period lasting until 2012.[12][13][14]

Paulo made his TV debut in 1983 on Gazeta, later moving on to Record and Cultura, and in 1994 to TVA Esportes, which was the embryo of ESPN in Brazil, founded in 1995.[15][16] On TV, his main work was the Brazilian version of the American program SportsCenter, where he shared the panel with journalist Antero Greco, who died in 2024.[17][18] "Amigão” and Antero Greco has hosted SportsCenter for over 20 years, since the program's initial phase in 2001 on ESPN, created in 2000 during the coverage of the Sydney Olympics.[19][20][21] Still at ESPN, in addition to his work as a narrator, he hosted programs that became references in Brazilian sports journalism, such as Linha de Passe, Bola da Vez, Futebol no Mundo and Dueto.[8][22][23]

His last television appearance was in 2024, in an ESPN tribute to Antero Greco.[6][24] According to journalist Gabriel Vaquer of Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, after his last appearance, he spoke frequently with ESPN colleagues and always stated that his goal was to return to host SportsCenter.[1] The host had a lifetime contract with the network, automatically renewed every two years.[1]

Death

Paulo Soares passed away on September 29, 2025.[25] Paulo had been battling several health problems for years, including a spinal problem, and suffered multiple organ failure. He had been hospitalized at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, in São Paulo, since April 2025, where he passed away.[26]

His body was laid out at the Funeral Home, in the Bela Vista neighborhood, in São Paulo.[1][27]

Personal life

He was married to Marlene Soares.[28][29] The couple had no children.[28] He was a movie buff, having a collection of more than four thousand DVDs.[3] He was a die-hard fan of São Paulo FC.[30] In his honor, the club released a statement and observed a minute of silence before the club's match against Ceará in the 2025 Brasileirão.[31][32]

Broadcasts

Radio

  • 1978: Rádio Clube - Araras
  • 1979–1980: Rádio Clube - Santos
  • 1981: Rádio Cacique - Santos
  • 1982: Rádio Guarujá - Guarujá
  • 1983: Rádio Difusora Oeste - Osasco
  • 1983–1985: Rádio Gazeta - São Paulo
  • 1985–1992: Rádio Record - São Paulo
  • 1992: Rádio Gazeta - São Paulo
  • 1992-1998: Rádio Globo- São Paulo
  • 1999–2001: Rádio Bandeirantes São Paulo - São Paulo
  • 2007–2012: Rádio Estadão - São Paulo

Television

News coverage

As a journalist, he has covered 9 FIFA World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games, Copa América and Confederations Cup.[16][33]

Prizes

Awards and nominations from Paulo Soares
Year Award Category Event location Result Ref.
2008 ACEESP Trophy (Associação dos Cronistas Esportivos do Estado de São Paulo) Pay TV Presenter São Paulo,  Brazil Won [34]
2009 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [35]
2010 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [36]
2011 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [37]
2012 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [38]
2013 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [39]
2014 TV Presenter São Paulo,  Brazil Nominated [40]
2015 Pay TV Presenter São Paulo,  Brazil Nominated [41]
2017 TV Presenter São Paulo,  Brazil Won [42]
2019 São Paulo,  Brazil Won [43]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Vaquer, Gabriel (September 29, 2025). "Outro Canal: Paulo Soares tinha 'contrato vitalício' com ESPN e nunca descartou retorno ao SportsCenter". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  2. ^ Pereira, Mauro (September 29, 2025). "Mauro Cezar Pereira: A honra que foi trabalhar ao lado de Paulo Soares, o 'Amigão da Galera'". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Volpato, Leonardo (July 7, 2019). "Amigão Paulo Soares celebra 25 anos na ESPN, sonha com os 35 e brinca sobre crises de riso". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Fernando, Maurício (May 10, 2013). "O segredo do sucesso dos amigões do Sportscenter". Doentes por Futebol. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  5. ^ "Ex-colegas da ESPN fazem homenagem no Posse de Bola: 'Amigão para sempre'". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Paulo Soares, o Amigão, presta homenagem emocionante a Antero Greco no Sportscenter: 'Formamos a maior dupla da história da TV brasileira'". ESPN.com (in Portuguese). May 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  7. ^ "Companheiro de bancada de Paulo Soares, Antero Greco faleceu há pouco mais de um ano". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Carneiro, Leandro; Oliveira, Luiza (2017). "Engraçados sem querer". Universo Online. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  9. ^ Gonçalves, Vanessa (September 29, 2025). ""Não brincamos com a notícia", garantem Paulo Soares e Antero Greco, da ESPN". Portal Imprensa. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "Paulo Soares, o "Amigão", começou carreira em Araras (SP)". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  11. ^ Giannini, Alessandro (September 29, 2025). "Paulo Soares, o Amigão da ESPN Brasil, morre, aos 63 anos". Veja (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  12. ^ "Paulo Soares, icônico narrador e apresentador da ESPN, morre aos 63 anos". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  13. ^ "Jornalista Paulo Soares, o 'Amigão da Galera', morre aos 63 anos em SP". Rede Bandeirantes (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  14. ^ Santos, Cristiane Alvarenga Rocha (2012-12-21). "Narração esportiva de futebol no rádio: entre convenções e intenções". Fórum Lingüístico. 9 (3). doi:10.5007/1984-8412.2012v9n3p215. ISSN 1984-8412. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  15. ^ Garcia, Rodrigo (September 29, 2025). "Apresentador Paulo Soares, o 'Amigão', morre aos 63 anos em São Paulo". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Morre o jornalista Paulo Soares, aos 63 anos". R7 Esportes (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  17. ^ Lopes, Fernanda (August 23, 2017). "Após enfrentar problemas de saúde, Amigão volta à TV: 'Período azarático'". Notícias da TV (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  18. ^ "Paulo Soares, o Amigão, se emociona em homenagem a Antero Greco: "jornalista da mais alta qualidade"". TV Cultura (in Brazilian Portuguese). May 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  19. ^ Nascimento, Jairo (September 29, 2025). "Morre o jornalista Paulo Soares, o "Amigão", aos 63 anos". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  20. ^ Maurmann, Renan (2015). "Telejornalismo esportivo na ESPN Brasil: a interação entre Paulo Soares e Antero Greco no Sportscenter" (PDF). Centro Universitário Franciscano. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  21. ^ Souza, João (2014). "Entretenimento versus informação a disputa por espaço no jornalismo esportivo brasileiro" (PDF). Centro Universitário de Brasília. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  22. ^ "Das crises de riso ao choro no adeus a Antero: relembre momentos marcantes de Paulo Soares". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  23. ^ "UOL Esporte: Linha de Passe completa 20 anos sem ceder à gritaria". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 31, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  24. ^ Tomaz, Milena (May 16, 2024). "Paulo Soares, o Amigão, se emociona ao falar da morte de Antero Greco: 'Não era a hora ainda'". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  25. ^ "Morre o locutor e apresentador Paulo Soares, o 'Amigão'". CartaCapital (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  26. ^ "Morre Paulo Soares, o Amigão, aos 63 anos". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  27. ^ "Morte do Amigão: fãs e amigos se despedem do jornalista; veja repercussão". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Corpo do jornalista Paulo Soares, o Amigão da ESPN, é cremado em SP". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  29. ^ "Adeus, Amigão: mundo do esporte se manifesta sobre a morte de Paulo Soares, da ESPN". ESPN.com (in Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  30. ^ "Das crises de riso ao choro no adeus a Antero: relembre momentos marcantes de Paulo Soares". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  31. ^ Fiuza, Aline (September 29, 2025). "Nota de pesar". São Paulo FC (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  32. ^ "Torcedor do São Paulo, Amigão é homenageado antes de jogo no Morumbis". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 29, 2025. Archived from the original on September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  33. ^ Folhapress, Leonardo Volpato (September 29, 2025). "Morre Paulo Soares, o Amigão da ESPN, aos 63 anos". O Popular (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  34. ^ "Ganhadores do Troféu Ford ACEESP". ACEESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  35. ^ "Ganhadores do Troféu Ford ACEESP". ACEESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  36. ^ "Ganhadores do Troféu Ford ACEESP". ACEESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  37. ^ "ACEESP - Associação dos Cronistas Esportivos do Estado de São Paulo". ACEESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  38. ^ "Conhecidos os vencedores do Prêmio ACEESP 2012". Esporte e Mídia (in Brazilian Portuguese). December 2, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  39. ^ Júnior, Marcos (December 7, 2013). "Troféu Ford Aceesp reúne os melhores do jornalismo esportivo paulista - Notícias". Terceiro Tempo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  40. ^ "ESPN tem cinco ganhadores no prêmio Aceesp; veja a lista de premiados". ESPN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). December 2, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  41. ^ Brocanelli, Rodney (December 2, 2015). "Saem os vencedores do Troféu Aceesp". Radioamantes (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  42. ^ "Ganhadores do Troféu Aceesp 2017 – ACEESP". ACEESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  43. ^ Micheletti, Marcos (2019). "36ª edição do Troféu Aceesp reúne os melhores no Museu do Futebol - Eventos". Terceiro Tempo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.


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